RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Arsenal must avoid Manchester United in the Champions League draw, says ex-Gunner Oleg Luzhny
Ukrainian feels Arsene Wenger's men are better against continental teams
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
18 Mar 2010 09:00:00
By Matthew Weiner | Arsenal Correspondent
Ukraine’s captain Oleg Luzhny joined Arsenal in 1999 having impressed in Dynamo Kyiv’s 4-2 defeat of the Gunners in the Champions League.
Although never displacing Lee Dixon or Lauren at right-back, 'The Horse’ played 110 games for the Gunners, won the Double in 2002 and in 2003 lifted the FA Cup in his final game for the north London side.
Seven years on and Luzhny, now 41 and Dynamo Kyiv’s assistant coach, still watches every Arsenal game.
Talking exclusively to Goal.com UK, he reveals who he’d like the Gunners to face in the next round of the Champions League, who he’d like them to avoid and who he thinks will win the tournament. He also offers Wenger some transfer tips along the way.
“I think Arsenal would do better not to draw an English team. I think they do better against the continental teams because Manchester United are so strong right now,” says Luzhny.
If the Gunners can avoid Alex Ferguson’s team, however, Luzhny believes they are one of three teams who will win the Champions League.
“I think the favourites to win the Champions League are Arsenal, Barcelona and Inter Milan - I think two of these teams will be in the final,” he says.
Jose Mourinho’s side impressed the Kyiv coach at Stamford Bridge, particularly the match-winner Samuel Eto’o.
“Eto’o for me is fantastic - I don’t understand why Barcelona didn’t keep him. I prefer him to Ibrahimovic because although he’s not as strong, he’s more of team player.”
Despite his soft spot for the Cameroonian, Luzhny favours Barca to retain their title thanks to the “unbelievable control” of the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Luzhny’s favourite, Yaya Toure.
When UEFA make the Champions League draw for Arsenal’s quarter-finalists, the ex-Gunner will be keeping his fingers crossed that the Gunners are matched with CSKA Moscow. “If Arsenal draw CSKA Moscow or Bordeaux they should go through and if Arsene would like tips on CSKA Moscow’s strengths and weaknesses he should call me,” he says.
“I can tell you now that they have a good defence. The defence and the keeper have played in the national team for a long time together – maybe six or seven years. But their striker [Wagner Love] is not good enough.”
Russian international goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has repeatedly been linked with top Premier League clubs including the Gunners in recent years but, despite the rumours, Luzhny reckons his old boss would do well to avoid signing him.
“I don’t like Akinfeev and wouldn’t recommend him for Arsenal because he’s inconsistent; one game he’s very good and then the next he makes mistakes.”
When it comes to the current Arsenal team, Luzhny has been impressed with the form of Andrey Arshavin as well as the Arsenal full-backs Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, but like all Arsenal fans, laments the injury to Robin van Persie: “It’s such a shame he’s injured,” he says, “Arsenal are much stronger with him in the side”
Luzhny was as surprised as anyone when his former team-mate Sol Campbell re-joined the Gunners, but believes he has been a valuable addition to the side.
“It was a good signing by Arsene because young players need an experienced player like Sol alongside to help them.
“But if I had to choose between a fit William Gallas and Sol, I’d have to go for Gallas because he’s quicker and younger."
A muscular player in his day, it’s perhaps no surprise that Luzhny would also like to see a bit more power in the current Arsenal team.
“This Arsenal side is completely different to the one I played in; we were stronger and faster than they are now.
"We had Overmars, Ljungberg, Pires and Petit. Now Arsenal are more technical and more controlled but I think they aren’t quite strong enough for English football.
“I’d like to see Arsenal with stronger players in the middle like Vieira and Gilberto.
“I think my old Arsenal team would beat the current Arsenal side.”
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
Ukraine’s captain Oleg Luzhny joined Arsenal in 1999 having impressed in Dynamo Kyiv’s 4-2 defeat of the Gunners in the Champions League.
Although never displacing Lee Dixon or Lauren at right-back, 'The Horse’ played 110 games for the Gunners, won the Double in 2002 and in 2003 lifted the FA Cup in his final game for the north London side.
Seven years on and Luzhny, now 41 and Dynamo Kyiv’s assistant coach, still watches every Arsenal game.
Talking exclusively to Goal.com UK, he reveals who he’d like the Gunners to face in the next round of the Champions League, who he’d like them to avoid and who he thinks will win the tournament. He also offers Wenger some transfer tips along the way.
“I think Arsenal would do better not to draw an English team. I think they do better against the continental teams because Manchester United are so strong right now,” says Luzhny.
If the Gunners can avoid Alex Ferguson’s team, however, Luzhny believes they are one of three teams who will win the Champions League.
“I think the favourites to win the Champions League are Arsenal, Barcelona and Inter Milan - I think two of these teams will be in the final,” he says.
Oleg up | Luzhny spent four years at Arsenal
Jose Mourinho’s side impressed the Kyiv coach at Stamford Bridge, particularly the match-winner Samuel Eto’o.
“Eto’o for me is fantastic - I don’t understand why Barcelona didn’t keep him. I prefer him to Ibrahimovic because although he’s not as strong, he’s more of team player.”
Despite his soft spot for the Cameroonian, Luzhny favours Barca to retain their title thanks to the “unbelievable control” of the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Luzhny’s favourite, Yaya Toure.
When UEFA make the Champions League draw for Arsenal’s quarter-finalists, the ex-Gunner will be keeping his fingers crossed that the Gunners are matched with CSKA Moscow. “If Arsenal draw CSKA Moscow or Bordeaux they should go through and if Arsene would like tips on CSKA Moscow’s strengths and weaknesses he should call me,” he says.
“I can tell you now that they have a good defence. The defence and the keeper have played in the national team for a long time together – maybe six or seven years. But their striker [Wagner Love] is not good enough.”
Russian international goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has repeatedly been linked with top Premier League clubs including the Gunners in recent years but, despite the rumours, Luzhny reckons his old boss would do well to avoid signing him.
“I don’t like Akinfeev and wouldn’t recommend him for Arsenal because he’s inconsistent; one game he’s very good and then the next he makes mistakes.”
When it comes to the current Arsenal team, Luzhny has been impressed with the form of Andrey Arshavin as well as the Arsenal full-backs Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, but like all Arsenal fans, laments the injury to Robin van Persie: “It’s such a shame he’s injured,” he says, “Arsenal are much stronger with him in the side”
Luzhny was as surprised as anyone when his former team-mate Sol Campbell re-joined the Gunners, but believes he has been a valuable addition to the side.
“It was a good signing by Arsene because young players need an experienced player like Sol alongside to help them.
“But if I had to choose between a fit William Gallas and Sol, I’d have to go for Gallas because he’s quicker and younger."
A muscular player in his day, it’s perhaps no surprise that Luzhny would also like to see a bit more power in the current Arsenal team.
“This Arsenal side is completely different to the one I played in; we were stronger and faster than they are now.
"We had Overmars, Ljungberg, Pires and Petit. Now Arsenal are more technical and more controlled but I think they aren’t quite strong enough for English football.
“I’d like to see Arsenal with stronger players in the middle like Vieira and Gilberto.
“I think my old Arsenal team would beat the current Arsenal side.”
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
38 Comments
Advertisement
Live!
Arsenal thrashed by AC Milan, Zenit beat Benfica - Follow the Champions League LIVE!
With Alex Fisher
Arsenal fall to their heaviest defeat in Europe on a miserable night in Milan for Arsene Wenger's side. Join Goal.com as we cover tonight's huge games on the continent.
Get in touch on Twitter via @GoalUK
Arsenal fall to their heaviest defeat in Europe on a miserable night in Milan for Arsene Wenger's side. Join Goal.com as we cover tonight's huge games on the continent.
Get in touch on Twitter via @GoalUK
15/02/2012
So that's all from me tonight, thanks for joining me for what was quite a memorable evening in the Champions League.
15/02/2012
We've heard from all the big players from tonight's games as Milan and Zenit record first leg victories.
For Milan progression to next round seems inevitable after they thumped Arsenal 4-0 at the San Siro.
However things are very different for Zenith, and despite their win you may actually make Benfica favourites given they scored two away goals in Russia.
For Milan progression to next round seems inevitable after they thumped Arsenal 4-0 at the San Siro.
However things are very different for Zenith, and despite their win you may actually make Benfica favourites given they scored two away goals in Russia.
15/02/2012
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus who felt his side deserved a point from the game
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus who felt his side deserved a point from the game
15/02/2012
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes, the full story is here.
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
15/02/2012
I'm just watching the highlights of the game and some of Arsenal's defending really was shocking. It really makes you wonder why Wenger didn't bolster the defence in January.
Inside Goal.Com
-
Player Ratings: AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal
Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed the Italian side a victory that all but seals their progression to the next round of the Champions League
-
Ajax - Manchester United Preview: Nani, Jones & Smalling return
The 38-year-old former Wales international was involved in the Red Devils' last second tier European match as they crashed out to Russian side Rotor Volgograd in 1995
-
Porto - Manchester City Preview: Europa League holders yet to taste defeat at home this season
Both teams expected progression in the Champions League but after third placed group finishes will now focus on the competition that the Portuguese side won last season
-
Word on the Tweet: Rooney names his new horse after himself
Goal.com takes a look at some of today's top action on the social networking site, with mumblings ranging from horse-based foolery to an unusual love-in for a famous pop star
-
Should Copa America 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally?
The spray, which has been designed to stop defensive walls from encroaching closer than 10 yards to the ball at free-kicks, is set to be discussed at next month's IFAB meeting
Advertisement
Advertisement
