I have to say that after the first 20 minutes I was amazed that Arsenal were not already out of Europe. Arsenal could not keep the ball as Barcelona ran riot and should have been three or four goals up, if it was not for some terrible shooting and some brilliant goalkeeping from Manuel Almunia. Almunia was simply brilliant in the first half and the single-handedly kept Arsenal in the tie.
Barcelona had 69% of the possession and made three times as many passes as Arsenal in the first half. But the score was still 0-0 and Arsenal were still in the game. When Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored seconds into the second half and then again after 59 minutes Arsenal’s European dreams seemed to be over.
But this is an Arsenal team that has a fighting spirit that Arsenal teams in recent years have lacked. Theo Walcott came off the bench and turned this tie around when he latched onto Bendtner’s pass on the right side of the box and slipped the ball under Valdes.
Then with 7 minutes left in the game, Barcelona captain Puyol pulled down Fabregas in the box. Arsenal has penalty and Puyol was sent off, meaning he will miss the return tie next week. Fabregas then smashed the ball into the back of the net and Arsenal were back on level terms.
So where do we stand now? Both Fabregas (injury and suspension) and Gallas (injury) will miss the game at the Nou Camp next week. Plus Barcelona have those important two away goals. But there are some positives for Arsenal fans to take from the game tonight.
One is that the Gunners first half performance was the worse I have seen in years. They cannot play that worse again! Two is that in the last 20 minutes, Barcelona showed that they are a great team going forward, but they are an average team at best defensively. Walcott’s speed terrorized them and there will be opportunities for Arsenal on the counter-attack in Spain.
Barcelona will also be without both of their center half’s next week as Pique and Puyol will both miss the game via suspension.
Arsenal need to go to Spain and win, and even after tonight’s performance I don’t think that is beyond them. What did you think of the game?
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….and so the myth that barca are a poor defensive side continues. they’ve conceded something like 24 goals in 38 cl and la liga games this season. arsenal were poor in the first half because barca wouldn’t let them play. the rare occasions barca lost possession they’d hound arsenal until they got it back.
barcelona are an superb team defensively.
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