Arsenal
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Ini8
¡Gr?*cies Xavi!
Two seasons ago, Monaco weren't even in Ligue 1. Arsenal is a consistent CL team, in the sense they manage to qualify for tournament and go through the group stage every year. Now you tell me Monaco and Arsenal are about the same level? You can't be serious.
And I don't overrate Arsenal. If anything, you're underestimating them. Had they met a stronger team like Bayern, RM, Barca, etc., I'd expect them to go out, but that wasn't the case. Given they finished 2nd in their group, this was the best draw they could get, yet they bottled it.
Jair Ventura
New member
Since Rybolovlev bought into the club, stabilizing their finances, Monaco is about the same level as Arsenal. Not at the top(anymore), but the French youth system is the best in Europe whereas the UK's leaves something to be desired, so in the middle and at the bottom Monaco is stronger. If they hadn't gotten rid of James and Falcao they'd be a better side all around. But rest assured; Martial, Carrasco, Kondogbia, Fabinho, Bernard Silva, Kurzawa, Wallace, etc. Are youth of class, and youth that will find plenty of willing buyers should Monaco go that route.
Should Ligue 1 continue to find competent investors(with the backing of beinSports things are improving rapidly) then French sides becoming relevant on a continental scale will be a more common occurrence. Less selling of the Pogba's, Benzema's, Griezmann's, Zouma's, Hazard's and so on and instead building around those players. Next season it'll be Lyon/Marseille "shocking" City/Chelsea/United/Arsenal to go along with PSG and Monaco.
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Jair Ventura
New member
Arsenal has better advertising/marketing than Monaco. I'll lend them that.
Looks as if German/Spanish sides are still doing their thing. So it apparently doesn't happen to everyone, just the EPL, who for whatever reason decide to collectively and simultaneously have "days off" during European competition.
DrPepper
New member
Yeah, it's just due to reputation that Arsenal is still compared to the very big teams. They were a top team, but not anymore for a few years.
Maybe still a bit better than Monaco in terms of quality and reputation but they're certainly closer to them than to Chelsea for example.
Maybe still a bit better than Monaco in terms of quality and reputation but they're certainly closer to them than to Chelsea for example.
Agreed. Should organize a parade and bring out a DVD. One to remember for Arsenal fans across the globe, congratulations to all the Gooners here.
BBZ8800
Senior Member
Arsenal won their last league title in 2004.
And in 2006 they somewhat unexpectedly (when they were past their prime) reached Champions league final (their only Cl's final ever).
And that's it, in the next 10 years, they haven't done anything.
English fans have "accepted" that Liverpool is not a top team anymore, but I will never understand why do people still consider Arsenal as one of the top teams?
Barca, Real, Bayern, Chelsea are the best.
Then, we should add teams like Psg, Juventus, Man. City, Atletico.
Then teams like Man. Utd, Borussia.
And then, "the rest of the Europe", where best teams are Arsenal, Monaco, Porto, Shakhtar, Roma.
Arsenal is in the group of teams ranked 10th to 15th place, so, imo, getting knocked out in 1/8 of CL is more or less a normal result for them.
If someone thinks that in the last 5-10 years Arsenal were anywhere close to the level/achievements of:
-- Barca, Real, Bayern, Chelsea, Psg, Juventus, Man. City, Atletico, or even Man. Utd or Borussia, then those guys are extremely biased and deluded.
And in 2006 they somewhat unexpectedly (when they were past their prime) reached Champions league final (their only Cl's final ever).
And that's it, in the next 10 years, they haven't done anything.
English fans have "accepted" that Liverpool is not a top team anymore, but I will never understand why do people still consider Arsenal as one of the top teams?
Barca, Real, Bayern, Chelsea are the best.
Then, we should add teams like Psg, Juventus, Man. City, Atletico.
Then teams like Man. Utd, Borussia.
And then, "the rest of the Europe", where best teams are Arsenal, Monaco, Porto, Shakhtar, Roma.
Arsenal is in the group of teams ranked 10th to 15th place, so, imo, getting knocked out in 1/8 of CL is more or less a normal result for them.
If someone thinks that in the last 5-10 years Arsenal were anywhere close to the level/achievements of:
-- Barca, Real, Bayern, Chelsea, Psg, Juventus, Man. City, Atletico, or even Man. Utd or Borussia, then those guys are extremely biased and deluded.
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Ini8
¡Gr?*cies Xavi!
As much as PL has been in decline, there's no world at the moment where Monaco can be considered at about the same level as Arsenal. Monaco scored on a deflected shot and two counters while Arsenal missed I don't know how many 100% chances. Monaco took their chances, yes, but they were indeed lucky. It reminds me of some tie back in 2012 which I don't remember fondly. Ligue 1 is developing nicely with great youth work, but they aren't there yet. Expect the PL clubs to pounce on your talent though.
Btw, Monaco beating Arsenal was a sensation rather than the expectation. Whoever (other than Porto) gets them in the QF will have a guaranteed spot in the semis unless they manage to pull another rabbit out of the hat.
Jair Ventura
New member
I mean, Monaco finished 2nd in Ligue 1 last season and are currently in 4th with a game in hand. They've bested Bayer Leverkusen and Zennit en route to ousting Arsenal. I'd say their performance speaks for itself. Arsenal's glory rarely extends outside of conversation.
Arsenals goals were no less lucky than Monaco's. Ox's long distance shot from outside the box in extra time, or Giroud having a poor chance deflected in the box around a number of Monaco defenders only to have to ball bounce back into his feet, or Kurzawa losing his sense for a moment and giving the ball to Ramsey in his own third with a direct pass.
Works both ways.
Ligue 1 has more sides through to the final 8 of the UCL than either Serie A or the EPL, this season.
They'll try. We'll see how willing PSG, Monaco, Lyon, Marseille, et el will be willing to sell with new/expanded stadiums, new tv exposure, in the midst of the UCL competition, or going into the 2016 Euro's.
Good luck.
For some, but I've never bought into the EPL hype train.
http://www.barcaforum.com/showthread.php/12181-UEFA-Champions-League-2014-15?p=1404481#post1404481
http://www.barcaforum.com/showthread.php/12181-UEFA-Champions-League-2014-15?p=1414023#post1414023
Blaugrana Bull
HiiiPoWeR
@ Juvens: I just want to take on one point from your post: France does not have the best youth system in Europe. I think Germany and Spain are clearly ahaed of the French and the Netherlands are at least on the same level. Watch out for Belgium too.
TornAndFrayed
Banned
tbh you took a big risk predicting the upset.
Monaco, in my opinion, is not at Arsenal's level, they have the ability to raise their game when it matters but have also been clearly outplayed by better teams, and their defense isn't quite as good as the stats would say.
Monaco, in my opinion, is not at Arsenal's level, they have the ability to raise their game when it matters but have also been clearly outplayed by better teams, and their defense isn't quite as good as the stats would say.
Jair Ventura
New member
In terms of European countries that produce the most talent for big 5 clubs:
1. France
2. Spain
3. Germany
4. EPL
5. Italy
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...urope-s-Big-5-according-Sportsmail-study.html
France is ahead by quite a bit. I'm assuming it has something to do with it being the choice country for African immigrants.
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Jair Ventura
New member
R
Ryu Hayabusa
Guest
That study is not worth the paper it's written on.
How many players were developed in said countries playing for Europe's Top 5 clubs? How many for Europe's Top 10? How many for the big 5 league's respective Top 4? How many of those players are regulars for their teams? How many are key players? etc.
R
Ryu Hayabusa
Guest
Well, BESTED is a strong word here. I've watched both matches. Monaco was the weaker team for 180 minutes against Leverkusen yet still managed to win twice with 1-0. I've rarely ever seen a side more unlucky/incapable in fron of the goal in a match than Leverkusen in those two.
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