Watch the Gunners
Arsenal win the TV battle
Do the words “reigning champs” mean nothing any more?
Arsenal and Manchester United will play on the same night in the Champions League this year, and it was widely expected that Man United would get the top ITV1 billing, while the cheerful Arsenal chimney sweeps would have to make do with ITV4 – a channel that does exists, but no one has ever seen. A bit like Michael Owen’s funny side.
Anyway, the bosses over at ITV have decreed that the nation would much rather sit through Wenger’s liquid football than Ronaldo and co smashing their opposition to smithereens.
But are they right? Let us know with a comment, neutrals…
Sep
25
12 responses so far
RedandDread // September 25, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Both are great teams to watch but based on early season evidence, Arsenal seem to be playing in a more fluid and watchable manner. Also, Arsenal vs Porto is a better game, although MANU will n ot have it all their own way against Aalborg. I actually believe that the MANU vs Aalborg game will be a better contest.
Mico // September 25, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Nice try!
Obviously it is more attractive to see an English team against another well known European side than against an absolutely unknown Scandinavian team that will never blight the ‘pronounciationally challenged’ ever again
(It is pronounced ‘Olbore’ for those with a liking for authentic naming of European teams).
John // September 25, 2008 at 12:36 pm
At last!
For years Arsenal have been pushed to the minor channels at the expense of United irrespective of their opponents. Thank god the schedulers have been sensible and picked the stronger looking game for once.
Upminster Iron // September 25, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I’m amazed that ITV have gone against their formula of always choosing Man United and Liverpool over Arsenal and Chelsea (though I won’t say biased Northern media!) but you can bet that now they have changed the habits of a lifetime and got for a stronger-looking match it will end up being crap!
Like Sky choosing Swansea/Cardiff and Newcastle/Spurs over Arsenal/Sheff Utd or Man Utd/Boro and Pompey/Chelsea or Brighton/City only for the games they chose to both be rubbish!
mustard // September 25, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Interesting to see that ITV are moving away from their traditional policy of showing English teams competing in Europe, and are now planning on showing foreign teams (even if they are based in London) It’s got something to do with EU quotas or something like that I’d imagine. Robert Killroy Silk be furious.
PaulE // September 25, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Arsenal are sexy and are the ‘in team’ – they rarely concede goals, play ‘beautiful football’ and have an young and vibrant team. It makes sense to me.
Ed // September 25, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Arsenal!
I am a fan of MU, but i prefer to watch arsenal plays their beautiful football.
AvP // September 25, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I put my finger in my pooper
BlueBen // September 25, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I’m a neutral! Much rather see Arsenal play – for a change – and even the man u fans must find joy in their fluent paasing up to the point a shot is required! But to be fair Mustard you’re a couple of seasons late – they had 6 English lads and a Welshman on the pitch aginst Sheffield Utd and Theo wasn’t anywher to be seen!
mustard // September 25, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Excellent spot Blue Ben – but I think you’ll find the average number of English players in their starting league 11 last season was 0.6. That’s not even 1.
honestabe // September 25, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Just for clarification I’m a Man Utd fan.
Arsenal vs Porto will be a far more entertaining game than Man utd vs somea club no one has heard of before this season.
Itv make there decisions on viewing numbers, and they obviously believe that Arsenals game will gain more viewers.
We all know that the Man utd – Celtic game will get the biggest push from all the group games, just because it’ll probably have the highest viewing numbers.
This article is nothing but a flame bait.
Kudos.
Asswipes.
Big Jill // September 25, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Arsenal bring all the entertainment. Even when playing the dullest of opposition they make the matches entertaining. Sometimes through sheer class, sometimes through awful mistakes. Witness last years Champions League qtr finals against Liverpool – both corkers despite Liverpools boring approach. Then Liverpool play Chelsea in a couple of snoozefests. Some other teams should take the Arsenal approach and understand that they are there to entertain. Vive le football revoltion
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