Slaven Bilic has warned Arsenal they are bang in the Irons sights even at this early stage.
Bilic will be in full control of the team tonight for their clash with Birkirkara tonight and reckons by the time the Premier League comes around the squad will have a superior fitness edge over the Gooners.
He reckons the extra games we are playing can give them a head start and a “definite advantage” on the opening PL weekend for the game on August 9.
Bilic said: “It’s good for the start, definitely. The best examples are from your own history – not from the books, the experience you have. I only have to look at last year when we played with Besiktas.
“We played Arsenal in the Champions League play-off. We were fitter than them. We had already played Feyenoord in the previous round and we were fitter. Arsenal had only played the Community Shield and Crystal Palace and we were already in the season.
“It gives you a definite advantage in the beginning of the season. What about November, December or Christmas time which is already so tough here. So we’re going to try be aware of all the situations.”
Arsenal managed to get through to the Champions League’s group stage, but beat Bilic’s Turkish side just 1-0 on aggregate over the two legs.
Absolutely love it Slav,no mealy mouthed BFS BS full of ready made excuses just proper fighting talk to fire the team and the fans up
So nice to not see our manager trying to turn them into a cross between Barcelona & the Harlem Globetrotters before we play them.I hope this will transmit to the players as well so every time we play a lesser team we dont read about them being excellant teams we should be scared of.We need a different mindset this season.No more building up the other teams abilities bs from hippo will help the players as well 🙂
I remember when Harry’s West Ham played in the Intertoto Cup to qualify for the Uefa Cup in ’99……A not too dissimilar situation to now. By the time West Ham played in the opening Prem fixture they were so much fitter than their opponents, Tottenham . But this time, it’s Arsenal away, and I’m looking forward to the team being set up positively, as I hope they also will be at Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Manchester City. The first season under Bilic should be interesting!
Yeah i remember that TRB,we came out of the traps flying.Slav will breed confidence into the team im sure.To tell the boys that we can compete with these teams.Not go to Chelsea like last year & set up to bow to to their greatness like paupers against princes.I still havnt forgiven Hippo for making us looks mugs that day.Ok,i know,i got to get over it,lol 😉
Bring the Gooners on,really looking forward to the prem league starting.Lets play teams believing we can beat them.No more going to games away set up like a cowardly managers team intent on not conceding more than one or two goals & walk away like it was a result we only lost by a couple.We wont win all matches,will maybe get thumped in a couple but lets go into games & stand toe to toe.No more sitting back waiting for the inevitable conceded goal & leave matches as fans wondering what the hell happened & why we never even tried to win the match.
With Sanchaz missing as well we are in with a shout,if we can find a right back for the game
But love having a positive manager for a change,if we can get a result it will make the others treat us with respect
I remember the size of the inter two bob ‘trophy’ wasn’t much bigger that a coffee mug..lol
then lost in 1st round to the mafia, sorry Palermo. This time EL champions, next year CL winners. Barcelona we’re coming for you…!!!!!!!
“…….. steve…..steve….. wake up time for your medication” **** it was a wet dream COYI
can’t make it 2nite but will be right there for the real test on friday night.. v Chelmsford….