Arsenal 4-0 Standard Liege, Europa League,
official att. 58,725 (Emirates Stadium)
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At the risk of repeating a Smiths’ lyric…stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before. Arsenal roll over inferior opposition in front of a two-thirds full stadium (while announcing it’s virtually capacity) while playing delightful footie, with a midgety skilful midfielder running the show. Add in the away fans providing the atmosphere and you have the complete Emirates experience. Boxes ticked all round. The average fan would be well chuffed. But this is Arsenal, where they expect to win trophies, so the usual scintillating home victory is never enough while they continue to roll over away. However, this was their RESERVE side, and two of my Arsenal buddies both claimed, independently, that the reserve side is better than the 1st team! Certainly, there seemed more bottle, more effort, a greater will to win.
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| Standard's corner. |
I should sound more grateful. A mate was over from Oz, and another mate had lent me his (son’s) season ticket. Great view, comfy chair, soulless atmosphere. Modern football at its finest. But most important, a drink with my mates, some ‘bantz’ with an Aussie 15 year old…and a good time by all. (He predicted the score correctly, btw.) And I did enjoy (Real Madrid loanee) Ceballos orchestrating the game from deep midfield, while the average Arse could get excited about 18 year old Martinelli’s lively performance up front, including 2 goals. Not bad for a winger playing out of position. Standard were never at the races. 3-0 down after 23 minutes. ‘Are you Tottenham in disguise?’ came the cry from….oooh, I dunno….3 dozen at our end. Good effort lads.
Another week, another home win. Every game is the same when I come here…
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| A packed-out Emirates. |
The Damage:
= €0
The Tunes:
Psychocandy (The Jesus and Mary Chain)
La Radiolina (Manu Chao)
Endtroducing (DJ Shadow)
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| Let's not pussyfoot about... |
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| The teams line up, Europa League banner ready. |
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| Match action at the North Bank end. |
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| Standard corner. |
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