Arsene Wenger optimistic for Gunners first CL quarterfinal qualification since 2009-10

Both Premier League and Champions League are getting hotter as we are getting into their conclusion. While English topflight is all about securing a place among the top four, in UEFA tourney, everyone wants to at least secure a place in the quarterfinals and those sides who have not been good in domestic leagues try to coup up their domestic loss by securing a quarterfinal place in the Champions League. Arsenal is one such side who is fighting hard to keep a tight hold over its third leaderboard position in the premier league amid severe threat from both Manchester United and Liverpool. Likewise, Arsene Wenger is also focused to enter into the knockout round in UEFA Championship where they could never be a contender since 2009-10. Hence, Wenger is confident his side would make a history by overshadowing Monaco and make their road clear for the quarterfinals. However, if we look at the stats, no side has ever entered into the quarterfinals after losing home first leg but Wenger is determined to break that taboo by surprising Monaco despite the home record of French side where they did not contain a single goal in their last three games played at Stade Louis II.

Supplementing his exaggerated claims 65-year-old Frenchman said, “The statistics are against us. The result in the first leg is against us. We are conscious about that. But no matter how big the percentage is, we have to give absolutely everything to make the stats lie — that is our desire and belief that we can do it.

“We want to give everything to have the greatest performance on the pitch. If we did not believe we could do it, we would not be here.”

The regained confidence of the English mentor could also tripled if Olivier Giroud, who missed several opportunities in the first leg game, recollects his known form in the last leg, and for this reason, Arsenal could be looking on the next game with more positive approach. Adding about Giroud performance in the last leg and what could he be thinking for the second leg, he said, “Giroud actually owes the revenge to himself. He owes a great performance for himself. He missed a few opportunities in the first leg, but what striker doesn’t miss an opportunity? He has the ability and the right mental level.”

José Mourinho confirms Cesc Fàbregas unavailability for PSG game

Upcoming Champions League showdown between Chelsea and PSG has already created a buzz in soccer fraternity hence billion of fans are eagerly waiting for the live action by league topper in the European circuit when they head with German powerhouse in the last-16 clash of the UEFA tourney. But a bad news saddened Blues fans a bit, i.e., manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed the unavailability of in-form Cesc Fabregas for the game. According to close insiders, Spaniard is passing through heavy cold and despite being there during training on Monday; he may not appear among the last eleven this Tuesday. This could indeed be a setback for Mourinho who has already given lots of aggressive statement about their performance outside England. Anyways, what Portuguese said about the illness of 27-year-old, is, “Fabregas has been ill. We are a different team with Fabregas, I’m not saying better or worse, I’m saying different. The team grew up from preseason with him on the team and the team went in a certain direction with a style of play.

“Without him, we lose some control, some possession, we become the same team, well organised, good in transition. But with him, we control the game better, we have more control of the game. We have possession of the ball because of the nature of the style of player he is.”

As far goal post in concerned, second term serving manager also needs to make a fine selection between Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech whom he has already used in last 1-0 win over Everton. He added, “He doesn’t know if he plays or not, so I can’t tell you. He has to know from me, not from the media. But I repeat Chelsea have the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League. I’m very happy with both. Every time one plays, the team are very confident because they know that they have a top goalkeeper.”

In any case, upcoming game between English and German giants is going to be exciting and fans from all round the world are eagerly waiting for firing action even if Blues carries no Cesc Fabregas as former Everton manager has already had several options to substitute any injured player. While on the other side, PSG fans are also eager to see how their side crushes North Londoners on European circuit where they have ever been a strong contender. In the meantime, we should wait for the cheer on good soccer!

David Luiz readies to answer Chelsea in the Champions League

If often happens when a player is going to meet his old side in European or any league that he recalls time he spent residing with the old side and usually as well reveals the real reason behind him making a switch. Former Chelsea’s defender David Luiz is one such player who has had been an integral part of the Bleus for a long three years but had to leave the league side for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain after being fed up off the internal politics within the team. The 27-year-old Brazilian made a high profile switch last season at around 50 million pounds making him amongst the few players to be sold off at such an impressive figure by North Londoners. Though, Stamford Bridge side also offered him an extension but he chose otherwise and shifted to Paris. Now, he is back again to face his old charm when Blues will visit Parc des Princes for a Champions League round of last 16 tie. He is obviously expected to capitalize over the shortcomings of his former side and Laurent Blanc is also optimistic Luiz will forget everything about his past and play with his full caliber.

Talking about the old days, Brazilian vice-captain refuses he has had any clash with Mourinho over there and says it was his own decision to leave England for PSG. He said, “When Mourinho left Real Madrid he said he wanted to go when he felt good — I was not feeling good and I said I wanted to leave. Chelsea offered me a new contract and I said, ‘I’m not feeling the same thing I was feeling years ago.’

“People tried to make stories about me and Mourinho, but we never had any history. He was the boss and he decided who plays and who doesn’t. When he didn’t put David Luiz in, it was – ‘Oh my God’ — but I’m just one more player, no problem.

“But it was all natural. I said ‘thank you’ to everyone. I was very happy in Chelsea but I decided now is the moment for another place and it became a great opportunity for me to come to a big project. Fantastic club. And I said ‘now I want to go to PSG.’ Mourinho is a coach who has a different style. He doesn’t talk to you about your life. As a player you will not know too much about his personal life and he will not know too much about his players.”

Nonetheless what happened in his career, he now wants to score against his former side and show them what they are missing right now. Who knows he is even trying to answer Portuguese if his spat rumors with him are true!

Barca vs. PSG game; two German fans stabbed

Controlling fans reaction after every defeat has ever been a big problem for ground security personnel, and even if they do their job, there is no guarantee visitors would return home safe if their side has defeated the hosts. Last Champions League match between German club PSG and Spanish giant Barcelona at Camp Nou was one such game that eventually won by the host side and reportedly two German fans were stabbed after the game when they were heading to their home. Both the victims were immediately taken to the nearby hospital where one was discharged after first aid while second one is still under medical supervision and as per his attending doctors his condition is serious but not life threatening. According to the local police, both were injured in different incidents that happened on difference places: while first was attacked by two unidentified personnel wearing balaclavas, second one was also found wounded soon after.

This is the second of its kind incident in Spain as last week a Deportivo La Coruna fan was also killed during the violence among two rival groups before the La Liga game between Atletico Madrid and Depor at Vicente Calderon stadium. After second similar incident within seven days, Mossos d’Esquadra police is under pressure to find out the culprits hence they had to issue a statement informing what could have actually happened, it said, “The first incident occurred around 11 at night in the vicinity of Camp Nou. A French citizen who left the game was approached on Felipe de Paz street by two individuals, in dark clothes and balaclavas, and was stabbed. The victim, who was accompanied by other PSG supporters, had to be transferred to a hospital, where he remains.

“A little later on and near to the site of the first, there was another similar incident on L’Avinguda Madrid de Barcelona. Three young people who had also come to watch the game were assaulted by several individuals. One victim suffered a stab wound and had to be transferred to hospital, from where he has already been discharged. The police are working to determine the exact circumstances of the facts and to detain those responsible.”

It would take few days to find out who actually did that, in the meantime, police has also ensured that no such incident would happen again hence no one should fear and miss any upcoming domestic or European game.

Aaron Ramsey and Wenger talk about their improved show in Champions League

Big clubs are not big coz they are having world class players but because they know how to recoup their loss in any league and that is why we often see a side losing a match immediately comes back with a bang in the next game; this is coz manager and coach both put their hundred percent and motivate players to rule the next game. Arsenal, the league side who is struggling to enter into the next stage of Champions League, is one such side who was almost ousted from UEFA tourney when they lost to Stoke last week but like any other professional team they used their core efforts, put everything down into the field and won the next game with Galatasaray by 4-1. Though, they were as fighting as they are known for in the game with Mark Hughes side as well but as we know only last score counts in checking your performance in any game.

In European League triumph Ramsey and Lukas Podolski were the heros with two goals each and they answered all the critics that English sides can be threatening on European front as well. With this impressive show, they are almost ready to enter into last sixteen with just a small hurdle. Aaron Ramsey, the 23-year-old Welsh international, talks about the ups and downs his club is passing through this season including their completely changed outlook in games with Stoke as well Galatasaray. Replying when asked if recent win can hike their confidence after last week disaster, he said, “Obviously we came here wanting to win the game so we’re happy that we won. We finished off on a high in the group stages and now we’re looking forward to seeing who we’re up against in the next round.

“We looked dangerous every time we went forward tonight, which was pleasing, and we scored a few goals which is always nice. So we took full advantage of the opportunity. It was nice to get the four goals that we scored tonight.”

Manager Wenger is also happy with their show though as well little disappointed they could not top their group, he added, “A little bit, but we knew at half-time we had to score six without conceding and I think the fact we had to take Flamini and Ramsey off took a bit of our power away going forward. In the second half we had a few more problems dictating the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough but we finished with 13 points and did the job tonight.”