u/iwannasleepp

He played 4 matches against Barca first two matches in 2006-2007 group stage. He then met Barca in 2008-2009 although his team eliminated by away goal rule.

So although being eliminated by Barca, in the sense of game play, Essien has never lost against Barca even if it's was reigning Champions 2006 Barca or sextuple 2008-2009.

I just want to know how did he manage to do such a feat?

He is capable of playing beautiful football with many goals scored but he got traumatized because it didn't achieve the intended results. So he switched to be more direct and more pragmatic in hope of achieving it. This is recommendable because he accepted what didn't work and willingful to change his way.

Regardless of what we might say Arsenal still is just 7-10 games away from achieve a potential double. Arsenal may not have the best attack but they do have the best defence in Europe by far with only a few goals conceded the entire campaign. Not to mention they are still unbeaten which is amazing.

Arsenal is a very strong team with excellent squad depth, they can run riot again base on just their player quality alone in both UCL and their domestic league. Pound for pound, Arsenal is head and shoulder above Atletico, that's how strong Arsenal actually is.

So although Arsenal form is a bit off, but I belive with correct adjustment in attitude, playing with Zen instead of tense this season is still pretty much in their hand to decide.

Because personally I don't want to see either PSG or Bayern to win it. And I don't think Atletico can beat these two teams. I don't think Barca, Man City or Real could best them two either. But I do believe if there is an European who can defeat these two teams? It's definitely Arteta's Arsenal.

He is the most talented young coach in the world right now, not even Xabi Alonso can affect modern football as much as Arteta. He just need us to believe in him.

Arsenal Champions League winner 2025-2026 here we go.

in this era he is probably the most elegant CM in tight space, dude just using magic at this point.

what a joy to watch.

without this mentality the team plays like headless chicken. remember that Tottenham match? they are so uncomfortable being the favorite.

He was hyped as the next Ronaldo same as Yamal the next Messi. but now he is so shit

May he win it next year

Think about the best 5 players in the world right now, they are probably Mbappe, Haaland, Dembele, Bruno Fernandes and Kane. These are the very best and also thats all, there are only around 5 players we could label generational players right now.

now let's see the 2010s and count how many generational players we had not named Messi or Ronaldo: Bale, Hazard, Neymar, Benzema, Lewandowski, Suarez, Ibrahimovic, Luka Modric, Xavi, Iniesta, Casemiro, Yaya Toure, Thiago Silva, Nuer, Robben, Ribery, Lahm,....

now let's see the 2000s: Ronaldo 9, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Lampard, Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Ashley Young, Terry, Vidic, Ferdinand, Casillas, Buffon, Maldini, Roberto Carlos, Makelele, Seedorf, Shevchenko, Nesta, Rooney,...

there were just so much more iconic players back then compare to now. even someone like Vini who is considered a "world best'' wouldn't even get to be bench in the last two decades. no hate for him tho i am just doing an assessment. so yea. your thoughts?

mourinho is not going to bend over like arbelia of course so guaranteed clashes?

He was very talented and seemed on his way to become a world class in his position but he just doesn't live it up.