CL Round of 16 - Arsenal vs. Barcelona match thread

Super Laudrup wrote:

Jaime wrote:

TITO wrote:You could never see this kind of panic when he was dating Ibra.
Everything was perfect. He was the best defender around.

Brilliant

Just back from watching the game.

Got to doth my cap to Arsenal. Brilliant. Just brilliant. More than anything for the fact they kept believing, even when Barcelona looked like they were going to run away with it at the end of the first half.

And those who say Messi hasn't scored in England - his header was onside.

But Arsenal rode their luck and fully deserved it after a spirited and skillfull second half.

Koscielny, Wilshere (18?? Played like a CL veteran), RVP (for the goal), Polish keeper with the mental name

Fabregas, Clichy, Eboue were very average.

For Barca: Pedro non existent, Maxwell was poor. Messi played well and should have scored at least a brace, Xavi orchestrated, Iniesta less so.

Makes for a decent second leg

Why the fuck did we sit back???? Afellay should have come on for Pedro!!!!!!!

S4P wrote:Good to see them La Liga teams going soft on the EPL, gifting Arsenal the match to make the 2nd leg more interesting. Fuckos.

CA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$H !

shazlx wrote:I'm not saying Xavi is can't make the pass at all. I'm saying he's not as good at doing it as Zidane, Ronaldinho, Totti, Requelme, Bergkamp and Seedorf. These are the most talented players of their generation not some nobodies.

I would probably take Seedorf out of that list, rest is

No disrespect to Xavi here, but the above list is of exceptional visionaries. Xavi usually makes simpler passes, and is very consistently excellent, but his passing does not have the sheer genius of a Zidane or a Totti.

Noah and the Bale wrote:

S4P wrote:Good to see them La Liga teams going soft on the EPL, gifting Arsenal the match to make the 2nd leg more interesting. Fuckos.

CA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$H !

Another Lexicon

@ TiTo

So what have we learned tonight. La liga also overrated? Pep showed he aint a special coach at all and Messi just seems to score only in Spain!! And RVP can take Arsenal to the next level and on that bombshell its time to hit the bed, goodnight!

Fey wrote:So what have we learned tonight. La liga also overrated? Pep showed he aint a special coach at all and Messi just seems to score only in Spain!! And RVP can take Arsenal to the next level and on that bombshell its time to hit the bed, goodnight!

Personally, I think Arsenal have scored a goal too few... Barca are still firm favourites in this tie. If the score was 3-1, then it would ve been very even...

Fey wrote:So what have we learned tonight. La liga also overrated? Pep showed he aint a special coach at all and Messi just seems to score only in Spain!! And RVP can take Arsenal to the next level and on that bombshell its time to hit the bed, goodnight!

And there it is. No fucking around: In and out. Like a black mamba

Night night Dirk MOTM

bluenine wrote:

shazlx wrote:I'm not saying Xavi is can't make the pass at all. I'm saying he's not as good at doing it as Zidane, Ronaldinho, Totti, Requelme, Bergkamp and Seedorf. These are the most talented players of their generation not some nobodies.

I would probably take Seedorf out of that list, rest is

No disrespect to Xavi here, but the above list is of exceptional visionaries. Xavi usually makes simpler passes, and is very consistently excellent, but his passing does not have the sheer genius of a Zidane or a Totti.

Absolute rubbish. You can find plenty of Youtube compilations where you can see examples of his slide-rule through balls.

Wow, that was fun. Completely undeserved, and yet again we were taught a footballing lesson for most of the match, but it was great to be there at the end. I have no doubt that Barcelona will progress, but at least we've had one unforgettable result out of it. The first half was frustrating, and Barcelona have a strange ability of making teams rush their play and unsettle them more than the pressing alone justifies. We started ok, but got worse as the half went on. It felt like you couldn't go near their players at times without the referee giving a free-kick but in fairness I think that is more a symptom of the frustration more than anything else. I certainly had no complaints about their goal. Wenger needs to solve the Alves dilemma in the second leg because we dealt with him extremely poorly. He was always available as an out ball, and we never closed him down when we needed to, and were then caught hesitating once he had the ball under control. The main criticism of Barcelona was that they didn't kill us off when they were controlling the game, and yet again, it can't be a coincidence that they have outplayed us twice at the Emirates but Arsenal have hit them in the last 20 minutes and they have struggled to offer an answer in that period.

Most of our players were poor, but I thought Wilshire was immense. From where I was he was really impressive, and the only player who really was prepared to take Barcelona on when they were stifling us with their closing down. Oh, and a big to those around me who left early. Whilst I appreciate being able to take home the extra flags (they'll be up on ebay tomorrow!), if you can't stay to the end of this game, then what's the point in coming to the match?!

Barcelona is Barcelona's biggest threat. Seeing that Arsenal weren't a threat, the Catalan club lulled themselves to sleep. When they woke up there was hardly any time left. Arshavin handled the ball, but good no call by the ref. Let Barcelona sweat a little bit and play a whole 90m like they did against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.

I'm a bit surprised at Barcelona's arrogance, going half-ass about it when they got the lead, disrespecting Arsenal so much. They got what they deserved for being so pompous towards the Gunners, but I guess that's what happens when such an amazing team as Barcelona, so dominating on the road, seeing how much better they are, they can fall asleep and lose focus. Now they've got Arsenal's attention for sure.

Brilliant game by Nasri. MOTM by far! and he just returned from injury.

DeLux wrote:

bluenine wrote:

shazlx wrote:I'm not saying Xavi is can't make the pass at all. I'm saying he's not as good at doing it as Zidane, Ronaldinho, Totti, Requelme, Bergkamp and Seedorf. These are the most talented players of their generation not some nobodies.

I would probably take Seedorf out of that list, rest is

No disrespect to Xavi here, but the above list is of exceptional visionaries. Xavi usually makes simpler passes, and is very consistently excellent, but his passing does not have the sheer genius of a Zidane or a Totti.

Absolute rubbish. You can find plenty of Youtube compilations where you can see examples of his slide-rule through balls.

He's no Guti but still -

All I am going to say is I cant wait for the next 90 mins +. Its a shame Pique wont be playing I hope Maxwell sits out the return leg.

TITO wrote:You could never see this kind of panic when he was dating Ibra.
Everything was perfect. He was the best defender around.

Good result. I watched the highlights of the game and VP and Arshavin goals were sweet. Of course 3-1 would have been better, but a victory is a victory, especially against Barca. Who was MOTM?

I'd say Koscielny was my MOTM. Absolute beast. Then Wilshere and then Van Persie.
Such a good result, at least we've given ourselves a chance of progressing even if Barca remain favourites. Can't see us crumbling like last year though.

Valdes's kicking Our keeper kicked better than him under more pressure, and hes been criticised loads for his kicking.

Alive and Kicking wrote:Good result. I watched the highlights of the game and VP and Arshavin goals were sweet. Of course 3-1 would have been better, but a victory is a victory, especially against Barca. Who was MOTM?

For the English media you know it'll be Wilshere for sure. He had a first class seat in the middle of the pitch ball watching, mesmerized by Barça's movement of the ball left, right, forward, backwards. He's only 15 so he's still learning. He didn't do anything to help the Gunner's attack, but then again he didn't fuck up, so that's enough for the English journos to call him MOTM. You know when Beckham used to miss 5 free kicks in a game, but the one he scored was enough for the journos to label him "the best free-kick taker in the world".

For me, Nasri played an awesome game, he just returned from injury, and he let the game come to him. Arsene could've/should've subbed him (it was his first game back) but kept him in the game for he was playing brilliantly, and it paid off! He made the winning goal.

Special mention to Koscielny. Can't wait for the return game at the Camp Nou, and a fully motivated Barcelona. Oh it's on now, COTR!

Alberto wrote:It's almost time Mes Amis! Almost time to see Arsenal's transformation into Rubin Kazan/Man Utd/Chelsea/Liverpool/Inter...when playing Barça.

Today, Arsenal will take a page out of the Mancs and Chelsea pussy-football book when playing the mighty Catalanes.

They will kick the shite out of Barça, literally, rough them up, let them know THEY ARE THERE! get one of their own sent-off and maybe Wenger will humiliate himself by saying "they didn't beat us 11 vs 11".

Well dickhead, maybe you could play with 11 if you don't play like fucking Neanderthals when playing Barça.

Nevertheless, it's the only chance Arsenal have today, become pussies like the Mancs, and pray/hope for the best. TRUE FUCKING STORY MES AMIS!

If they go toe-to-toe like Real Madrid, they will be minced meat, that's why Mourinho WILL return to pussy-football AT THE BERNABEU next time he faces Barcelona.

HAHAHHAHAHA ! Is this man for real?

forza_rossi wrote:

Alberto wrote:It's almost time Mes Amis! Almost time to see Arsenal's transformation into Rubin Kazan/Man Utd/Chelsea/Liverpool/Inter...when playing Barça.

Today, Arsenal will take a page out of the Mancs and Chelsea pussy-football book when playing the mighty Catalanes.

They will kick the shite out of Barça, literally, rough them up, let them know THEY ARE THERE! get one of their own sent-off and maybe Wenger will humiliate himself by saying "they didn't beat us 11 vs 11".

Well dickhead, maybe you could play with 11 if you don't play like fucking Neanderthals when playing Barça.

Nevertheless, it's the only chance Arsenal have today, become pussies like the Mancs, and pray/hope for the best. TRUE FUCKING STORY MES AMIS!

If they go toe-to-toe like Real Madrid, they will be minced meat, that's why Mourinho WILL return to pussy-football AT THE BERNABEU next time he faces Barcelona.

HAHAHHAHAHA ! Is this man for real?

Much respect to Wenger for staying true to his philosophy. It's only halftime though, let's see how he plays at the Camp Nou.

Alberto wrote:

forza_rossi wrote:

Alberto wrote:It's almost time Mes Amis! Almost time to see Arsenal's transformation into Rubin Kazan/Man Utd/Chelsea/Liverpool/Inter...when playing Barça.

Today, Arsenal will take a page out of the Mancs and Chelsea pussy-football book when playing the mighty Catalanes.

They will kick the shite out of Barça, literally, rough them up, let them know THEY ARE THERE! get one of their own sent-off and maybe Wenger will humiliate himself by saying "they didn't beat us 11 vs 11".

Well dickhead, maybe you could play with 11 if you don't play like fucking Neanderthals when playing Barça.

Nevertheless, it's the only chance Arsenal have today, become pussies like the Mancs, and pray/hope for the best. TRUE FUCKING STORY MES AMIS!

If they go toe-to-toe like Real Madrid, they will be minced meat, that's why Mourinho WILL return to pussy-football AT THE BERNABEU next time he faces Barcelona.

HAHAHHAHAHA ! Is this man for real?

Much respect to Wenger for staying true to his philosophy. It's only halftime though, let's see how he plays at the Camp Nou.

I am still pretty sure Barca will go through but with Arsenal at home and vastly improved from a year ago, Your presupposition terribly backfired man.

Good game to watch Nasri's match fitness will be better for the return leg Wiltshire did not look out of place in the middle his passing range was perfect. Koscielny was my MOTM. Barca will be unstoppable I like surprises hope Arsenal can pull off another one.

Messi's goal was 100% not offside. 2-0 and the game is over.

Like last year?? But the goal should have stood! Where is Kas's essay??? Pep provided him with plenty material! And what's the point of Mascherano and Affelay at Barca??

Fey wrote:Like last year?? But the goal should have stood! Where is Kas's essay??? Pep provided him with plenty material! And what's the point of Mascherano and Affelay at Barca??

2-2 is very good result away. 2-1 is only ok.

Mascherano is useless at Barca but he would be the perfect replacement for Gattuso at Milan. Maybe don Silvio can make an Ibra-like deal this summer.

Alberto wrote:

Alive and Kicking wrote:Good result. I watched the highlights of the game and VP and Arshavin goals were sweet. Of course 3-1 would have been better, but a victory is a victory, especially against Barca. Who was MOTM?

For the English media you know it'll be Wilshere for sure. He had a first class seat in the middle of the pitch ball watching, mesmerized by Barça's movement of the ball left, right, forward, backwards. He's only 15 so he's still learning. He didn't do anything to help the Gunner's attack, but then again he didn't fuck up, so that's enough for the English journos to call him MOTM. You know when Beckham used to miss 5 free kicks in a game, but the one he scored was enough for the journos to label him "the best free-kick taker in the world".

For me, Nasri played an awesome game, he just returned from injury, and he let the game come to him. Arsene could've/should've subbed him (it was his first game back) but kept him in the game for he was playing brilliantly, and it paid off! He made the winning goal.

Special mention to Koscielny. Can't wait for the return game at the Camp Nou, and a fully motivated Barcelona. Oh it's on now, COTR!

Did anyone else who watched this match agree with Puro's assessment that Wilshere added nothing to Arsenal's attack? I'm curious to know if - as Puro suggests - my and my fellow countrymen's avid English bias magically made me "will" myself to see Wilshere play well, but infact in the cold light of day, he was out of his depth and chasing shadows. Someone not English give an opinion?

As I saw it, 4 Arsenal players stood out: Nasri, Wilshere, Koscielny and the goalkeeper. RVP, goal aside, could and should have done better. In my mind, it was a toss up of those 4 who was MOTM. Messi would have been if he'd scored (or his header counted).

As for Wilshere, yes he's English, but he also seems rather good. There is actually SOME truth in Puro's assessment - his defensive positioning in the first half wasn't great, he and Song struggled to make much impact off the ball, but then it was Barcelona and they do that to most teams they face.

However, going forward and increasingly in the second half, I thought Wilshere became more and more influential - top quality decision making, excellent eye for the pass, and rarely lost possession. I thought these are qualities that make a top player, not one who is simply "safe" / doesn't fuck up.

But then again, no patch on my man Vargas or Farfan of course

"Completely undeserved" – Jesus you are negative SG, you need a bit of luck to beat this team. Arshavin's goal was, as the cliché goes, worthy of winning any game. Yes Cesc and Robin weren't quite what they can be – man of the match clearly Wilshere for Arsenal, closely followed by the outstanding Koscielny, surely his best performance for us.

If Puro seriously thinks Nasri was better than Wilshere he clearly hasn't watched much (of the former) this season. Great that Sam could play 90 minutes and excellent in the second half (sensational work for the winner), but he's still coming back and Jack's was the standout performance for us.

http://i.cr3ation.co.uk/dl/s1/gif/a095b62ba601cdf2e9b5ff3d0e9c8069_szczesny2.gif

https://2img.net/r/ihimizer/img84/8867/arsenalgk2.gif

I think the biggest development from this is that Arsenal finally have a Goalkeeper

The Santa Stalker wrote:I think the biggest development from this is that Arsenal finally have a Goalkeeper

I'm gonna say it: Does his starfish tactics in one on one situations remind people of Schmichael?

Where is all this Nasri hype homing from? Defensively he was great and he did great for the second goal plus a couple of sribbles but otherwise he was boring. He's still a fake playmaker...