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3/14/2008 9:08 AM
Arsenal Director Edelman Didn't Want 'Great' Reds
Following the Champions League quarter and semi-finals draw in Nyon on Friday, Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman admits that the Gunners wanted to avoid Liverpool...
Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman has admitted that Liverpool were not the Gunners’ ideal Champions League opponents.
The quarter-finals draw took place at Uefa HQ in Nyon at noon on Friday, pairing the Emirates men with their Premiership rivals, with Chelsea potentially lying in wait in the semis, should the Blues oust Fenerbahce.
Edelman told Sky Sports News: "I think we would have preferred European competition, this is the Champions League.
"Liverpool are a great team who have had fantastic performances in this competition."
The first leg will be played at the Emirates on the1st or 2nd of April, with the Anfield return taking place the following week.
This tie takes on the appearance of a saga, though, when one considers that the two with clash while on Premiership duty in North London on the 5th, making for a blockbuster triple-header.
"We're going to play them three times in a week, so I guess we'll get to know them pretty well," Edelman continued.
"The tactics of every match are going to be watched very carefully by both managers, so I think it could be compelling viewing for the fans of both clubs."
Sublime
Arsenal reached the business end of the tournament after pulling out one of the performances of the last-16 in beating holders AC Milan 2-0 in the San Siro – also the aggregate scoreline.
Edelman thinks that result will stand the Gunners in good stead for the remainder of the Champions League.
"I think the AC Milan match was very important for us," he added. "We played some sublime football.
"We drew 0-0 in the first leg and to go and beat AC Milan, the competition winners, in the San Siro must give us a lot of hope and belief that we can go all the way this time.
"The performance of the team has been much better than anyone could have predicted this year, so I think things are going very well on and off the pitch."
Duncan Robertson, Goal.com
Arsenal Director Edelman Didn't Want 'Great' Reds
Following the Champions League quarter and semi-finals draw in Nyon on Friday, Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman admits that the Gunners wanted to avoid Liverpool...
Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman has admitted that Liverpool were not the Gunners’ ideal Champions League opponents.
The quarter-finals draw took place at Uefa HQ in Nyon at noon on Friday, pairing the Emirates men with their Premiership rivals, with Chelsea potentially lying in wait in the semis, should the Blues oust Fenerbahce.
Edelman told Sky Sports News: "I think we would have preferred European competition, this is the Champions League.
"Liverpool are a great team who have had fantastic performances in this competition."
The first leg will be played at the Emirates on the1st or 2nd of April, with the Anfield return taking place the following week.
This tie takes on the appearance of a saga, though, when one considers that the two with clash while on Premiership duty in North London on the 5th, making for a blockbuster triple-header.
"We're going to play them three times in a week, so I guess we'll get to know them pretty well," Edelman continued.
"The tactics of every match are going to be watched very carefully by both managers, so I think it could be compelling viewing for the fans of both clubs."
Sublime
Arsenal reached the business end of the tournament after pulling out one of the performances of the last-16 in beating holders AC Milan 2-0 in the San Siro – also the aggregate scoreline.
Edelman thinks that result will stand the Gunners in good stead for the remainder of the Champions League.
"I think the AC Milan match was very important for us," he added. "We played some sublime football.
"We drew 0-0 in the first leg and to go and beat AC Milan, the competition winners, in the San Siro must give us a lot of hope and belief that we can go all the way this time.
"The performance of the team has been much better than anyone could have predicted this year, so I think things are going very well on and off the pitch."
Duncan Robertson, Goal.com
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