The Invincibles and Europe

*then WE lost to Lille, not Kiev

D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
So even though we were the best in England, we just weren't that good on paper in Europe?

You've just broke the pedastal that my 9 year old self put this team on.

"Yeah I was just highlighting one example of a Koscielny brain fart. There are some occasions where he fudges up something so simple."


Yeah, of course, sometimes it's been purely down to him playing with rubbish CB partners and that, but mentally he's always been a bit suspect.

When he's on his game though, particuarly in the big games, he can be incredible. Dominated Messi, Suarez and Aguero in the past.

Just looking at the team that got hammered 3-1 by Kiev in that vital game...

Steve Bould (must have been 36?)
Nelson Vivas
Christopher Wreh
Luis Boa Morte

Stephen Hughes, Gilles Grimandi and Remi Garde came on.


Our first XI would have given anyone a game, take a few players out and that is what we had...

Hughes, Garde and Wreh all started in the 1-0 defeat to Lille as well...

On the flip side, the XIs against Barca and Fiorentina were both strong.

The premier league was a third tier league back then as well, to be fair.

We were the best team in England in that time but only cracked Europe once. Though we did get to two semi finals.

Our sides towards the end of the decade were better in Europe than our late 90's/early 00's.

I wouldn't say Koscielny dominated Messi, chris. He played as well as a defender can against an in form messi, but he probably still should have had 2 or 3 goals. If that 2-1 at the emirates game is what you're referring to. Man what a night that was though.

Yep that's the game, Tu Meke, I was there, best game I've been to at the Emirates. Thought Kos was just superb, seemed to be everywhere. Absolutely gutted about the 2nd leg.

Arsenal are due a game against Barcelona. It'a been a while.