2025-26 UEFA Champions League - See Mod Note Post 1

I didn't even directly comment on whether they should have defended better, but rather said that while it was a great game for the neutral, criticism of the defense certainly wasn't clueless.

I've not made that comment as a defense of Arsenal's current tactics, as any reflection of Arsenal, but entirely as a standalone comment responding to someone stating that any criticism of the defending is clueless.

The knee-jerk reaction to disliking Arsenal's style of play morphing into the extreme of, 'any criticism of purely attacking football can't be tolerated' is mildly amusing though.

If I'm going to comment specifically on Arsenal, I'd say that as a fan, I'd be delighted to see them score 5 goals and also aghast at them conceding 4. I'd be happier going into the second leg with a goal advantage than not of course, but certainly questioning why it wasn't more if we had a 3 goal cushion and kept playing kamikaze football. In fact, I'd dare say that if anyone was watching their own team in a two legged tie in those circumstances didn't agree, they themselves might be a bit clueless.

I think there are examples of pundits who do analysis and ones that try entertain (I say try because I dont find stuff like Sky Sports entertaining or funny) and the best ones do both simultaneously.

I can think a game was brilliant hear Shay Given who I consider an expert say what the keeper done wrong but still think the game was brilliant.

What channel were you watching Kenny Cunningham on last night ? I expected the game to be on Virgin media but it wasn't, with the result I missed it.

Was just listening to Jonathan Wilson who was making that point. Neither team knows how to be defensive even if they wanted to. Reckons Neuer would be found out much earlier in the season at another team too.

It's why it took PSG so long to win the tournament. It's not easy go all the way in this tournament if you are not the full package. Another big team usually exposes you.

This would be my take. I find it bizarre that people get snotty just because others point out the very obvious fact that both those teams last night were poor defensively. And poor at game management.

And I don't buy the "Ossie Ardiles" defense at all. Just because they get away with it in poor leagues doesn't mean they won't get sucker punched by a smart team.

And I can see that happening. Arsenal or Athletico, both of them are good enough to hold off Bayern/PSG while picking them off at the other end, Simone especially is good enough to look at that defending and devise a plan. Defending like that we saw last night is like a big sign to a good manager saying "hit me here".

Plenty thought inter would lock out PSG in last years final because they were supposedly good defensively. There’s always a chance but I strongly suspect whoever comes out of the semi next Wednesday will win the final with a bit to spare. Atletico aren’t very good and Arsenal’s attack is mind boggingly out of form.

You're using my old strategy from when I used to stick a few bets on.....always put a few quid on Spurs to win. If the won, ah well at least I won a few quid. If they didn't, well at least Spurs didn't win.

I fancied PSG to win it outright but both keepers dont convince me at all. I can see the winners of tonights game quietly fancying their chances in the final. Nick an early goal and go all out defend.