Inhibition makes you small. If you don’t believe, that’s the worst thing. Go out and be yourself. Those were the choice extracts from Arsene Wenger’s little book of footballing philosophical phrases before he sent Arsenal out for their historic Champions League semifinal second leg at Villarreal’s tiny La Madrigal stadium. What he should have said, of course, was: ”This is squeaky bottom time.”
In the end, German Jens Lehmann eased his side through to a nervy 0-0 draw, saving Argentinian Juan Roman Riquelme’s penalty two minutes from time after one of the worst performances Arsenal have ever produced in Europe.
Arsenal, touchy and defensive, palpably failed to defend the hard-fought lead they carried from Highbury. But they survived and are in the final in Paris on May 17.
Wenger was squeaking big time. Sure, the Gunners, on the back of goalless away performances, shot down Real Madrid and Juventus. But you can’t go out without purpose, without ambition, and hope to reach the pinnacle of world club football. But somehow, they did it.
For Wenger, this was very nearly a game too far in Europe. He simply hasn’t had the funds to produce strength in depth. That’s why he plucked Sol Campbell off the bench, ignored the broken nose, the apparent mid-season breakdown, the string of injuries and a record of less than a game in three months.
And stuck him in the middle of a defence with the injured Philippe Senderos next to Kolo Toure, who had not conceded a goal for a record nine Champions League matches.
Arsenal reached the final in front of 1 100 lucky travelling fans and 20 000 Spaniards. Not bad that, given that Villarreal is a town of just 45 000 inhabitants and its team is a small town side which has come out of nowhere thanks to a decade of investment by a rich local toilet manufacturer.
How the Gunners avoided being torpedoed by the Yellow Submarine we’ll never know. God, it was woeful. I lost count of how many times Arsenal, the fantasy football side, lost possession in their own half.
Now, of course, Arsenal needs to win in three weeks’ time to deny neighbours Tottenham their first-ever Champions League place. Given their luck in Villarreal, they might just make it.
Here’s how the penultimate Premiership weekend pans out:
Birmingham vs Newcastle
Suddenly Newcastle is on the brink of European qualification and Glenn Roeder is apparently on the verge of getting the job permanently. Don’t be fooled. The current run is purely coincidental. Given that Steve Bruce’s Birmingham is playing for their Premiership lives, I reckon Roeder, a relegation specialist, will revert to type.
Verdict: Birmingham 1 Newcastle 0
Charlton vs Blackburn
As always, Charlton’s season has fizzled away into nothingness after a good start. Alan Curbishley will be off to England or Aston Villa next season I reckon. Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is going nowhere. A win here should secure a UEFA Cup spot.
Verdict: Charlton 1 Blackburn 2
Chelsea vs Man United
This might have been a title decider if Sunderland hadn’t managed a miraculous draw against United on Good Friday. Jose Mourinho’s men, humbled by Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final, need a point to secure the Premiership.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
After the rousing semi-final win, David O’Leary’s vilified Villa should be a mere trifle at Anfield. O’Leary is headed for the exit, having achieved little with a lot of money and hot air flying about.
Verdict: Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 0
Man City vs Fulham
Stuart Pearce has taken the traditional path from early England contender to young coach pleading for money after an abysmal run that ended with a 1-0 win over Villa. Fulham secured safety with their win over Wigan.
Verdict: Man City 0 Fulham 0
Middlesbrough vs Everton
Boro’s season may grind to a halt by the weekend. Last week’s FA Cup semifinal defeat will have been tough to swallow and the Uefa Cup return leg against Steaua Bucharest will be no cakewalk.
Verdict: Boro 0 Everton 2
Wigan vs Portsmouth
Unfancied Wigan looks like they’ll finish just outside the Uefa Cup zone but it’s been a magnificent effort for a side heavily backed to go straight back down. Portsmouth is on the verge of the Great Escape.
Verdict: Wigan 0 Pompey 1
Tottenham vs Bolton
Spurs look like they’ve secured fourth spot and a possible Champions League place after that niggly North London derby draw with Arsenal. Think Martin Jol deserves an apology from Arséne ”I saw nothing” Wenger, though. Bolton could yet pinch a Uefa Cup spot.
Verdict: Spurs 4 Bolton 2
Sunderland vs Arsenal
Arsenal has to win this one to keep the pressure on Spurs. Sunderland are already headed for the worst finish ever in the Premiership, beating their own record of 19 points. In fact, if you added together their points from both seasons, they’d still be going down. And they’ve only got two wins, and none at home, two more unwanted records in the top flight.
Verdict: Sunderland 0 Arsenal 2
West Brom vs West Ham
The Baggies look doomed, but we said that about Bryan Robson’s side last season and they sneaked out of the bottom three.
Verdict: West Brom 2 West Ham 1