The Hindu : Sport / Football : Arsenal wary of Riquelme threat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006

Sport

Sport - Football

Arsenal wary of Riquelme threat

LONDON: Arsenal dodged powerhouses FC Barcelona and AC Milan when the draw was made for the Champions League semifinals, but still must deal with one of football's most talented playmakers, at home on Wednesday.

Juan Roman Riquelme will orchestrate Villarreal's attack in the first leg at Highbury and Arsenal knows that stopping the Argentine would go some way to securing a place in the May 17 final.

"He is a guy who can pass wherever he wants and also has the ability to do whatever he wants on the ball. With a guy like Riquelme, it is difficult to think about man-marking him. We do not do that anyway," said Arsenal captain Thierry Henry.

It is in defence where Villarreal has problems, with Gonzalo Rodriguez and Juanma Pena expected to miss both legs because of injuries. But coach Manuel Pellegrini said Arsenal's record of eight straight shutouts in Europe could be about to come to an end.

Pellegrini unfazed

"Just because you don't concede a goal or lose in a long time, it doesn't guarantee the same outcome in the next game. Arsenal has a lot of potential, history as well as other things, and for that reason they could be considered favourite. But in football you have prove it on the pitch," he said.

That is exactly what Henry wants to do. Arsenal's failure to win European football's most prestigious club competition has prompted speculation that the French striker will leave after seven years. He has told the club he will decide at the end of this season whether to extend his contract.

And winning the Champions League could also be Arsenal's best chance of qualifying for next year's edition. Arsenal lies fifth in the Premier League and will finish in its lowest position for a decade even if it overhauls Tottenham for fourth and a place in the qualifying rounds.

Arsenal will be without striker Jose Antonio Reyes because of suspension. Cesc Fabregas, the star of a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Juventus, could miss a third straight game with a foot injury. — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail