The Arsenal v FC Barcelona

Tweesus wrote:A few points….

- Kas, what was all that about Barca being slow starters? Their first 20 minutes was scintilating stuff!

- Ibrahimovic's 2 goals haven't changed my mind about him. The first goal he scored as the result of being unmarked by Song - a defensive midfielder being asked to play at centre back, and a keeper regarded as the worst in the premier league making an erronous decision. The second was also as a reslt of being unmarked by Song. Both were well finished but for the first, the ball was bouncing nicely so it was easy for him to loft it over the keeper. He wasn't having to generate his own loft, which requires far more skill and control. The 2nd goal, he went near post which actually goes against everything that you're trained to do as a striker, He got lucky that Almunia is a bit shit and didn't stand up.

- thought the crowd were actually very good!

- thought it was a great game. Barca deserved to win (probably 5-0 in the first half!) but we also had a few chances we missed.

- it was a penalty and sadly, under the current rules Puyol had to be dismissed. They've discussed this at length on F365 (that its an unneccessary double punishment) and like F365 I also think it’s a stupid rule if the foul wouldn't even be given a yellow outside of the box.

- walcott was very impressive when he came on. I think with that performance he might well have played his way into the world cup squad. Lennon should certainly start but Walcott will be a valuable asset late on in a game against tired defensive legs.

- 2nd leg I'd shift Nasri into the Cesc role and play Eboué on the left.

- Finally, I thought we showed good resiliance to pull it back. Last year we'd probably have shied away. I thought Cesc had a bad game but I admired his tenacity to carry on after the injury and I pray he doesn't leave in the summer.

Dr Adel Sabah wrote:

TITO wrote:It wasn't a penalty, but it's over, and it is needles to discuss about it anymore.

If this were the first or even the one hundred and first such penalty Arsenal had got then maybe, but this shit has gone on far, far too long without people recognising it. Barca will still fuck Arsenal in the second leg, the tie isn't what's important. But the reputation of the game is at stake, and the ref was under clear instructions to make sure people kept watching. Just as he was under clear instructions to not give Chelsea a penalty in last years semi-final second leg.

Tweesus wrote:@ bobi

Almunia is a shite keeper. It doesn't really count scoring against him - and as I said, he was being marked by our defensive midfielder - again not exactly a top class defender.

And he missed a shitload of chances in the first half.

Hell, if I'd played for that Barca team I would have scored in that game last night

Ballack wrote:

Dr Adel Sabah wrote:

TITO wrote:It wasn't a penalty, but it's over, and it is needles to discuss about it anymore.

If this were the first or even the one hundred and first such penalty Arsenal had got then maybe, but this shit has gone on far, far too long without people recognising it. Barca will still fuck Arsenal in the second leg, the tie isn't what's important. But the reputation of the game is at stake, and the ref was under clear instructions to make sure people kept watching. Just as he was under clear instructions to not give Chelsea a penalty in last years semi-final second leg.

What about the bullshit decisions that Barca usually get? 4 penalties should have been given. FOUR. That's the same bullshit as you claiming that Arsenal get loads of penalties for shit reasons. If Barcelona go out due to that penalty then it's no less than they deserve, they didn't deserve to go through last year and only did it through cheating from an exceptionally biased ref.

Fenomeno wrote:Puyol is running towards Cesc (after Pique goes to pick out Bendtner), but only manages to be just behind Cesc with the ball falling nicely to be hit, and with full access to volley. But because Puyol is on wrong side, and on awkward position, his legs sandwiches Cesc's right leg as he prepares to shoot with it !

Ballack wrote:I don't read all of your posts, most of it bores me.

Dr Adel Sabah wrote:

Ballack wrote:I don't read all of your posts, most of it bores me.

i.e. 'I'm feeling foolish because I missed that so once again I'm going to make out it is your fault that I'm a twonk'.

Jaime wrote:TITO was getting cocky in the Barcelona thread saying he expects to win by 3-4 goal margin easily.

TITO wrote:

Jaime wrote:TITO was getting cocky in the Barcelona thread saying he expects to win by 3-4 goal margin easily.

Want a bet?


I already predicted (not here, but at work that it will end 2-2) not only the draw but the result also.
And i dont know if u remember, but last year i was quite confident that we will go through until the finals and that we will win it, and in the end it came true. TFS!!!

Calidad wrote:I think anyone who doesn't have Barca as big favourtites to go through isn't thinking clearly. It's not to say Arsenal aren't capble, and stranger things have happened, but if Barca playing anything like that at the Nou Camp, they'll steamroller Arsenal, and in terms of the scoreline this time.

Iniesta + Abidal will probably be back, Messi won't be as quiet as he was last night, and players like Xavi should be in better fitness. Henry won't play. The CB's will be a miss, but Milito has probably been in better form than Puyol recently, and Marquez/Toure should be able to fill in ok.

That said, if Arsenal get an early goal at the Nou Camp, or the longer it remains goaless it could get cagey, but all in all, I think Barca will have too much for them.