Come On You Reds

Arsene Wenger has been talking about the task facing Arsenal in Moscow. You would expect ‘le Boss’ to show the opposition some respect, and so he does, well aware that his Arsenal sides have yet to register a victory in Russia.

It’s not just the quality of the opposition that concerns him,
“While I feel we can beat them, you always have ingredients in Moscow during October that you cannot master. I have heard that the quality of their pitch has been destroyed by a tournament, and it is already cold there now.

Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, midfielders Dudu and Daniel Carvalho, and striker Vagner Love, will probably be the best known of the CSKA squad. Wenger notes, “They have some good Brazilians there and also seven players from the Russian national team, which is a solid combination.

For all of that cautious approach the French maestro is well aware of the benefits of a third straight triumph in this season’s first group phase. “A victory would nearly qualify us, so of course we will really go for it. We want to qualify as soon as possible, because it is always a relief. You can go into the winter and focus on what is coming next.”

The tie could see the first involvement for Arsenal’s own Brazilian prospect, with Denilson included in the eighteen man squad as cover for Gilberto and Fabregas in the centre of midfield. Gael Clichy makes the squad but is unlikely to start.

Older Gooners will have mixed memories of Arsenal’s first competitive meeting with a Russian side. In the 1982 UEFA Cup the Gunners lost the first leg in Moscow to Spartak 3-2. The two away goals looked good but were rendered useless by a sparkling five goal display from the visitors in the second leg at Highbury. They played a swift-passing attacking game, not dissimilar to the modern day Gunners.

We all ended up cheering the Soviets enthusiastically that night, but now has the time has come for payback? Goonerholic tips a 1-1 draw, but don’t expect lightening to strike twice after my Watford prediction hit the target.