1-1 Perisic. Grabs the ball from the net and rushes back to the half way line - admire the optimism

Why am I nervous about this game then?

1-1. Our central defense seemed to be awol.

Rice 2-1 - nice header getting in to the box after a brilliant piece of wing play from Sterling to beat two men and put in an excellent cross for him

Going alright so far.

What’s been put in Sterling’s pre-match cuppa? Bound to be tested.

Anyone any idea why Kiwior got a yellow? Or even how it was a foul at all??

PSV aren't great, but Sterlings performance has been very encouraging. Lively and positive, and good pace on that second assist and the one on one (and nearly slotted it).

Rice ran to celebrate, smiled did a motion with his hands not to celebrate and pointed to the centre spot to 'rush back' - this is in response to the celebration police criticising him for celebrating the equaliser v Man U rather than grabbing the ball and racing back to the centre spot to try to get the winner.

The commentators didn't know either.

While it’s understandable, I think that kind of reaction is counter-productive for him. He’s telling people the criticism is getting to him and he can be wound up.

A bit of form just before he's ineligible for the game v Chelsea next up

Or you could view it as a player who is quite self aware, relaxed and willing to poke fun at himself and others in a very harmless way.....

So current Champions League QF seem set except for 1 match

Barca v Dortmund
Bayern v Inter

PSG v Villa (Villa lead 4-1)
Arsenal (lead 9-2) v Madrid/Atletico

Four left backs on.

It would be ironic if PSV scored down that side

And if he got a booking and missed the first game of the next round. Let’s think strategically

Second half normal Sterling service resumed.

Late yellow card for Sterling means he’s suspended for the home leg of the QF.
Rice picked up a yellow which is his second. 1 more yellow in the QF and he’s suspended. Timber in a similar position. All other players are only on 1 yellow max

So Real Madrid of Atletico Madrid. A real clash of styles.
Real would attack us. Atletico can easily roll out a Simeone dirty deep block.
I’ve seen some Arsenal fans online say they’d rather play Real because we have struggled against Atletico type tactics - but for me I think I just look down the team sheets and think man for man we are better than Atletico - especially when we get Saka back for these games. I can’t do the same if I compare our team to Real Madrid.

We play Real.

These are the games we watch football for. Last night PSG beat Liverpool and the belief a result like that gives you must be huge.

Well well well, Alvarez spot kick in the shoot out disallowed under bizarre circumstances and out they go.

I would have preferred atleti to be honest, but Real Madrid in a European Quarter Final, it’s what it’s all about. Now, will we have any forwards we can play against them

I read as Rice's way in winding up the celebration police, his get-back at you moment.

Rare to see that kind of spot kick happen. When I first watched it in slow motion I couldn’t see the double touch and I watched it quite a few times. I’ve since watched a super slow mo zoomed in and probably now come down on the side that he did kick it twice. However, it’s really difficult so it’s strange that var can be so sure - ‘clear and obvious’ it is not.

Real Madrid next. These are the games we’ve been desperate for when we were in the mud having so many years out of the CL and even getting knocked out in the last 16 continuously.

Page 10000 of this iteration of the SG Forum.

An appropriate moment to reiterate my thanks to Warrior for his unseen work behind the scenes which keeps this place going.

(The talks about this year's pay rise and bonus are well underway Rog.)

This is a site I come to a few times a day - it may be quiet on occasion, but it's a cut above most other sites for Arsenal and other related toing and froing.

To all contributors (yes even the ones I disagree with) keep those contributions coming.

Here's to the next 10000 and hopefully a Champions League or three.

Great post, John. And thanks again, Rog, for your incredible efforts that keep this amazing forum going.

I don't know about a pay rise, though. We're not made of money.

I disagree

So you don't want us to win the Champions League??

I only mentioned talks............ I made no promises.

Hear Hear

Thanks Warrior

And to Steve who made this happen

Well said John et al……I’d like to add my thanks …..big thank you Rog and respect to Judith and family

Thanks also for the posts by all you forumites across the globe united by our love and passion for the best football club in the world
The forum is essential reading for me and has been for many years…Arsenal specifically,football and other sport in general, politics, humour,reflection,whimsy,victory, defeat,
chiding….some gentle…some not…!
Keep it coming please.
Best to all.

Who was it back in the day used to submit a ton of posts to ensure they got the big one…i.e a post number with lots of zeroes…e.g 100,000

Ten to go

Go, Andy! It's all yours. Tell us your eight or nine worst memories of being an Arsenal fan. Bonus points for not mentioning Gus Caesar, Jim Furnell, Ray Hankin or Nayim.

Was it Cannonballs?

Ah I don’t covet fame nor glory so this is it for me today
I’m sure if TG were around he’d provide some odds …
I would go :
4/6 Rich
5/4 1979 Gooner
3/1 Ash
5/1 Gunfire
8/1 Bar

Part of me is hoping that a legend will swoop in so Harlow Cannon Daz show your hand

McQ you covered some of the worst memories but here goes
Jeff Blockley SFinal mistake
GG selling Rocky
Frank Stapleton going to MU
RVP doing the same
Eduardo injury
That young Sunderland prick doing Abou Diaby
Liverpool handballing their way to victory in the Cup Final
Chippy leaving
Chelsea CL at Highbury
Bert selling Charlie

Sounds reasonable

Think I got 5,000 - or something like that.

Seemed an achievement at the time.

Bit like winning the Isthmian League

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/11/ratcliffes-straight-talking-gunslinger-act-dissolves-into-double-speak?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

This is worth a read. Suggestion is that Ratcliffe may not be the messiah. b%*&s%*^ baffles Mancs.

He’s not the messiah… he’s just a naughty boy

OK so it’s teed up nicely …….and the 400,000th post is posted by……..

Now you're talking....worst memory

For me the fkin Giggs last minute winner in that Villa Park FA Cup semi final was it

We were so good that season. Outplayed that overrated Manure team. Bergkamp missed the penalty. Then that Giggs winner.

Then that Manu side fluked the treble. It pains me so much.....still