Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Nick Simmonett 
Date:Thursday February 21 2008
Time: 9:12PM
UK time is: 13:17:59
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Pirlo Changes His Tune
Before Arsenal's pretenders took to the field to face the seasoned veterans of AC Milan on Wednesday, their influential midfielder Andrea Pirlo claimed that his team's experience would see them beat Arsenal.
It still could, but I think you'll agree that he was humbled somewhat last night when he watched Fabregas, Flamini and Hleb run rings around his team for almost the entire 90 minutes.
Not only was he not allowed to influence Milan's attacking play, he was forced to sit deeper than I have ever seen him play in order to stop Fabregas and Hleb tearing through Milan's elderly defence.
Before the game Pirlo had this to say: 'We are the champions and this can influence our opponents. But our experience should be the key to winning the game against Arsenal'
'They have a lot of young players but they have been playing as if they were veterans of the game and have competed well in the big competitions.
'We are optimistic going into this game but we know we will need to be at our best over the two legs to get through.
'The game against Arsenal will be the most interesting tie in this round of the Champions League. I think that we are going to give great spectacle to the fans in the two games.'
After the game, and probably still feeling dizzy he said: 'The way in which Arsenal move the ball around on the floor is extraordinary - they are fast and effective.
'I talk a lot about Dutch football with Clarence Seedorf and although I wasn't born when Holland played 'Total Football', I can see that whatever Arsenal team is trained by Arsène Wenger, they have always played beautiful and effective football.
'They have very skilful ball retention, especially on the ground, and they always have great movement to fill empty spaces - it is a kind of total football perhaps.'
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Your Comments
it takes a big man to say that about their opponents.. now the players hv to make sure they play at the very same level if not higher in the return leg.. remember we can only get better with rosicky and van persie still to come back.. n to hv eduardo, bendtner, walcott and eboue off the bench in case the game is still a draw late on the match will totally kill the legs of milan
McGooner
ermm... both of these sets of quotes are from before the game
karandeep357
All quotes are definitely from before the game. Unless I'm Dr Who, which would explain how I managed to read all those quotes before the game even though Pirlo said some of them afterwards.
Professor Calculus
Right, those were pre-match. But having read some reports today, the Milan players seem to have a more realistic grasp of things than the lazy journalism going on. e.g. quite encouraging post-match comments from Seedorf: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11945_3177490,00.html
Lou the Gunneress
Changing the subject, Edelman reckons that Real Madrid & Juventus will both be in the Emirates Tournament this summer, which should ensure a full house again.
Ashburton Gooner
Great! So does that mean with the extra revenue our Season Ticket prices will be frozen again? Or even reduced? Nah, didn't think so.
AFC85Lew
Club Level season tickets went up four per cent. I'd say expect something similar when we get our renewal forms.
Little Dutch
Yeah i know, sorry, was just being a bit cynical. Still though, at least London's getting cheaper to live in and we're all earning more eh?
AFC85Lew
Yeah AG I just watched that part too. Sounds cool!
Lou the Gunneress
Four per cent is still four per cent too much! Why don't Arsenal break a trend and put the prices down? :-)
Little Dutch
LD, you guys are contributing very well to paying off the stadium debt. It's very important you fork out that 4% more. You're right up there with those concert-goers, Emirates Cup-goers, merchandising-lovers and expensive Highbury flat-buyers. While the league and cup matches are sold out all the time, the best chance of me watching something there is Brazil and I'd still be happy to chip in...
Lou the Gunneress
My bank think I'm solely responsible for paying off the debt!
Little Dutch
Congrats on drawing them with half their team missing, including their strikers.
Blue is the colour
BITC did you watch? How do Inzaghi and Ronaldo make 'half their team'? Jankulovski and Gilardino at least made the bench man. I'm not making an excuse because we do survive without them - missing RvP, Rosicky and Kolo is nothing then? I know how desperately you want to have a dig at us, but come on argue things like a man. And enjoy the cup this weekend.
Lou the Gunneress
wouldn't like to call the second leg!
merlin
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