MIB

[Hawkeye Pierce]

"Michael Black has joined Town from Boreham Wood where he was part of their Championship winning side last year. Previous clubs include Cheshunt, Bishops Stortford and Billericay Town as well as league experience with Arsenal, Millwall, Tranmere Rovers and Southend United. A former England Schoolboy International, Michael is also the brother of Tommy Black of Crystal Palace."

 

Hopefully a good signing.

[lovely stuff]

What position does he play in?

[townerboy]

did he play for wood against us a couple of weeks ago?

[Father Jack]

Yes - central midfield in the #4 shirt. On paper at least, a tremendous signing.

[Arkwright]

Our first player to have played in the Champions League???

[lovely stuff]

I thought he was wearing the No8 shirt??

[townerboy]

Quote:

Arkwright said:
Our first player to have played in the Champions League???

was that a game in greece?

[Scoreline]

Panathinaikos (0) 1 - 3 (0) Arsenal

 

Panathiaikos, Wednesday 9th December 1998

 

UEFA Champions League.

 

scorers: Sypnaewski og (Asanovic)

Anelka

Boa Morte

 

Arsenal:

Seaman

Grimandi

Upson

Bould

Grondin

Vivas

Mendez (M.Black 77)

Vernazza

Boa Morte

Wreh

Anelka

 

A terrific win for the youngsters against all the odds. Panathinaikos had a near full-strength side (Eric Myklund the only noteworthy absentee) and needed a win to give themselves a chance of qualifying, whereas Arsenal were woefully under-strength. Perhaps the presence of the youngsters, wanting to prove themselves (especially after the Chelsea thrashing) actually gave us more chance in a relatively meaningless game like this.

It didn't look quite like this in the first half, as Arsenal had to ride their luck a few times despite having the better of the opening few minutes. Panathinaikos strikers missed a few chances that would have been easier to put on target, and Seaman made one excellent save.

 

The goals all came in the second half, Mendez kicking it off with a cracking free-kick which deflected cruelly off the ex-Ram Asanovic. They equalised a few minutes later after being given too much time and space in the box. Seaman flapped a bit (but apart from this incident had a good game) and the striker was left to roll the ball into a gaping net, even though there seemed to be plenty of red shirts around.

 

Anelka took us back in front with his first European goal, cutting across the edge of the area and clipping a shot just wide of the keeper. Did he mean to blast it, or did he mean to trundle it along the ground? Who cares? Boa Morte sealed it with a brilliantly taken goal with 5 minutes to go.

[The Invisible Man]

So his career is finally taking off now then!

[townerboy]

he's in the big time now!!!

[Hawkeye Pierce]

lol - Leave the poor lad alone! We are 8 years on and the lad has found a team that will build around him and hopefully build successfully.