'ere we go then!!!

Tonight's the Night. So went a much-loved Rod Stewart song. Indeed, if you knew the lyrics, you'd say exactly the same thing. Anyways...

It should really be a straight-forward evening, but the stakes are so high, I really can't say hand-on-heart that we'll put in a worthy performance. Think about it. After this, it's Chelski on Saturday, then Pool on Tuesday next. That's the crux of our season all in six days. What we do tonight could so set the stage for either a flat finish or a finish to remember.

More on Chelski later. For now, the early goal will be key. If it's ours, then I say it's game over. Villareal will come at us, and without Senna, they're going to be easy meat on the counter, and when they tire. If it's theirs, then it's all bets off, and sweaty-palms time. Since we're at home, our Ade's on form and Cesc is back, I see us good for at least a goal. Whatever the case, it's going to be tense. Though I'd take a listless 0-0 anytime! (Then again, 0-0 can't be listless, since it would mean spending the last 15 minutes praying Villareal don't get a sucker goal).

Le Boss has described it well (though maybe somewhat circuitously):

“And I think their approach will be the same as they have in the first leg. They will play with the advantage of the first result, meaning they are in a position where they have to score. It should be an open game because we are in a position where we want to score, they are in a position where they have to score. So it will be an interesting game.”

Score, score, score, score, score. Yes, we all need to score. (See lyrics to song mentioned above).

Tony Adams has also said some strange things. Chief amongst which:

“Even though I think Arsenal will beat Villarreal 3-0 to make the semi-final I don’t see them winning the Champions League this season because this side has defensive frailties."

Thanks. I hope we win 3-0 too. Look at it this way: if we fail, I don't think it'll be for our defence. At least not now, not at this stage of the season. So long as we have our usual shooting boots on, I think we'll be good for both the Champions League and the FA Cup. So Tony, thanks. we'd have loved to have you in defence right now, but in Silvestre and Kolo, I think we should be alright.

Which brings me to Chelski. 4-4. At home. Great for the neutral, but if I were Guus, I'd be worried. That's seven goals shipped at home in the last two games. Perfect time to play them, I'd say. So if there's a team with new-found defensive frailties, it's Chelski, not us. As for Pool, to lead 2-0...see previous definition of "choke". Poor things. They had them on the ropes. But hung themselves with it. Would so rather have seen Pool go through.

On Saturday, we'll unleash Arshavin, Walcott, Ade, RVP, and perhaps even Eduardo on them, and I think we'll do just fine. What we need though, is a good result tonight.

Fingers crossed. Toes crossed. Heart pills taken. Beta-blockers ingested. Gotta stay calm.

I so need to write a positive post tomorrow. Ciao.