CL Round of 16 - Arsenal vs. Barcelona match thread

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Noah and the Bale wrote:FULL-TIME Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Roma (agg 6-2)

Roma. Is there a team more consistently underachieving slash shit in Europe?

Another European adventure in which Totti has achieved nada. And yet, some scorn Messi's achievements in the Champions League

Yep - all those times that Totti has had a CL campaign alongside Alves, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa and failed to deliver

When Messi wins a WC with most assists in the tournie at 60% fitness and cuts Germany to pieces on their own patch - give me a shout.

Roma have had some fantastic teams in Totti's time, you talk as though he's been playing for Accrington Stanley.

He's played a decade in the CL / Europe at least, and it's a struggle to remember a single important game when he's actually fulfilled his talent and stood out.

Top class Serie A player no doubt. However, I don't place as much significance on a competition held for a month every 4 years in the summer when most of the best players are on burn out, leaving it to the likes of El Hadji Diouf, Miroslav Klose, Nicky Butt, Diego Forlan and Sol Campbell to carry the label of"World Class" , as you do

Rosicky wrote:Zero shots. Pathetic from Arsenal.

The sending off will give Wenger some ready made excuses though.

TBF, on this matchday he didn't do much wrong. The selections kind of made themselves. I would have played Denilson over Diaby becasue he is a better passive pressurer. But then if Denilson started and played shit I might have said Diaby should have started for his powerful dribbling. Only big mistake he made was playing Rosicky over Bendtner.

He was hadicapped by Szczesny's injury. Its not his fault that Fabregas was disgracful and Nasri couldn't dribble past anyone in the final third. He couldn't do much about the Van Persie thing.

Anyway,
Sagna, Djourou, Kosceinly, Wilshire and even Alminia played well (still should have saved the first goal). Wilshire second best player over the tie after Messi.

For all the praise of Xavi and Iniesta it is Messi that was really causing us problems. The others circulated the ball well a mved it between the lines bit we coped well enough. It was only the movement, control and pace of Messi that disrupted our organisation and his general threat that forced us to play deep.

I don't really want to complain about the referee, wants the point with Barcelona. But anyway, I thought the consistent giving of small/nothing fouls to Barca was just as disgraceful as the Van Persie sending off.

Worst thing that can happen now is Szczesny being out for more thsan one game. Fianlly get a good GK and he gets injured, typical...

fcb wrote:

But Arsenal's 0 shots (let alone on target) did help too.

There was a shot. Just the ref didnt like it so the player got sent off. The Arsenal player didnt dare shoot after that.

Noah and the Bale wrote:FULL-TIME Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Roma (agg 6-2)

Roma. Is there a team more consistently underachieving slash shit in Europe? Another European adventure in which Totti has achieved nada. And yet, some scorn Messi's achievements in the Champions League

Real Madrid

So Arsenal is the newest member of that exclusive EPL fraternity called "The Zero Shots on Goal against Barça...but we'll find a way to blame the ref for our shortcomings...somehow".

every team needs some luck to win cup competitions and this is ours, such is life.

the opposing fans will complain, (as would I) but this is how these kind of things work

Alberto wrote:So Arsenal is the newest member of that exclusive EPL fraternity called "The Zero Shots on Goal against Barça...but we'll find a way to blame the ref for our shortcomings...somehow".

Are you going to pretend you wouldn't see that decision as corrupt if it'd gone in Man Utd's favour?

No one can begrudge Barcelona the victory. Shit refereeing, but wouldn't have changed the outcome based on the what happened 11v11.

Now it's time for the real side from North London to show how it's done against Italy's finest tomorrow

Messiah wrote:every team needs some luck to win cup competitions and this is ours, such is life.

the opposing fans will complain, (as would I) but this is how these kind of things work

Luck is the ball bouncing off Busquets head and into the net

I'm not quite sure what to classify that red card as but luck doesn't quite seem to cover it properly

Holy shit Howard Webb had an even worse night it seems!

DeRossi elbowed Srna to the ground, Srna gets the yellow!

Shaktar looks really good. Amazing stadium, though they got a bye this round.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Noah and the Bale wrote:FULL-TIME Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Roma (agg 6-2)

Roma. Is there a team more consistently underachieving slash shit in Europe?

Another European adventure in which Totti has achieved nada. And yet, some scorn Messi's achievements in the Champions League

Yep - all those times that Totti has had a CL campaign alongside Alves, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa and failed to deliver

When Messi wins a WC with most assists in the tournie at 60% fitness and cuts Germany to pieces on their own patch - give me a shout.




Bullshit decision from the ref - has there ever been a Swiss person who isn't a massive c**t ?

Its unbelievable to hear our pundits saying there is no hard luck story - the score was 1-1 when he was sent off!

absolute horseshit - worthy of Howard Webb at Old Trafford that one.

Bendtner


There used to be some fans on here (mainly Spaniards if I remember correctly) who used to claim that Villa was superior to Eto'o - Villa is quality but Barca would have had 7 with Eto'o in his place.

I rate them both personally, for me Villa is as good as Eto'o when he plays as a centre forward. As a outside left forward, I think Villa is not nearly as good. But Pep ain't going to put Messi out wide so it's Villa who has to make room. Eto'o looked pretty miserable when Mourinho was sticking him out on the flank as well.

Noah and the Bale wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Noah and the Bale wrote:FULL-TIME Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Roma (agg 6-2)

Roma. Is there a team more consistently underachieving slash shit in Europe?

Another European adventure in which Totti has achieved nada. And yet, some scorn Messi's achievements in the Champions League

Yep - all those times that Totti has had a CL campaign alongside Alves, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa and failed to deliver

When Messi wins a WC with most assists in the tournie at 60% fitness and cuts Germany to pieces on their own patch - give me a shout.

Roma have had some fantastic teams in Totti's time, you talk as though he's been playing for Accrington Stanley.

He's played a decade in the CL / Europe at least, and it's a struggle to remember a single important game when he's actually fulfilled his talent and stood out.

Top class Serie A player no doubt. However, I don't place as much significance on a competition held for a month every 4 years in the summer when most of the best players are on burn out, leaving it to the likes of El Hadji Diouf, Miroslav Klose, Nicky Butt, Diego Forlan and Sol Campbell to carry the label of"World Class" , as you do

I'm not talking as if he's been playing at Accrington Stanley, more like an Atletico Madrid or Valencia. Like Red n Black, if he had been at Juve, Milan or Inter he could have achieved much more in the CL.

I know he hasn't had any spell binding games against English teams, and your CL viewing hasn't really stretched beyond those games, but he was pretty awesome in games against strong La Liga teams (including Barca and Real).

Fey wrote:Holy shit Howard Webb had an even worse night it seems!

DeRossi elbowed Srna to the ground, Srna gets the yellow!
.

Noah and the Bale wrote:No one can begrudge Barcelona the victory. Shit refereeing, but wouldn't have changed the outcome based on the what happened 11v11.

Now it's time for the real side from North London to show how it's done against Italy's finest tomorrow

Wasn't it 1-1, 11v11?

Alberto wrote:So Arsenal is the newest member of that exclusive EPL fraternity called "The Zero Shots on Goal against Barça...but we'll find a way to blame the ref for our shortcomings...somehow".

Who else is in the club puro? Do tell.

Noah and the Bale wrote:No one can begrudge Barcelona the victory. Shit refereeing, but wouldn't have changed the outcome based on the what happened 11v11.

How can you say that when you Barcelona were failing to really open the defence 11v11? They dominated but they weren't creating chance after chance. Their shots were speculative. 11 vs 11. with Bendtner on for Fabregas with Van Persie still on the pitch. VanPersie is still an expert false nine and there is always the chance he will put a great pass through. Which means the possibility of fouls, yellow or reds cards for a barca player. Set pieces...

Jaime wrote:

Noah and the Bale wrote:No one can begrudge Barcelona the victory. Shit refereeing, but wouldn't have changed the outcome based on the what happened 11v11.

Now it's time for the real side from North London to show how it's done against Italy's finest tomorrow

Wasn't it 1-1, 11v11?

wenger


"The ref absolutely can't have played football to see that."

Did you try and see the referee

"No. No. I told him what I thought about his decision.. There is not a lot to say about that"

Were you beaten by a great side

"Beaten by the best team in Europe. With 11 v 11 we would have won" (sounds a bit like Jose guess both managers took a page out of his book for this match)

But not one attempt by Arsenal

"Once you're down to 10 men.."

Prior to that

"It would have been a game of two halves tonight.."

lol!

Bullshit commentary from Sky sports right now. Arsenal deliberately played defensively?

I don't think they get it that Barcelona press. Fabregas was unfit/shit, Diaby is shit, Rosicky is passed it. Defensively positioned players, Sagna, Diaby, Wilshire all got forward when we had the opportunity.

S4P wrote:When was the last time an English team got a penalty or had an opposing player sent off in a CL knockout match?

Puyol sending off/Fabregas pen last season. Hope that helps.

shazlx wrote:Bullshit commentary from Sky sports right now? Apparently Arsenal deliberately played defensively?

I don't think they get it that Barcelona press. Fabregas was unfit/shit, Diaby is shit, Rosicky is passed it. Defensively positioned players, Sagna, Diaby, Wilshire all got forward when we had the opportunity.

Not playing defensively (Fabregas) cost Arsenal the first goal

Wilshere was bringing the ball out of midfield all night

It's almost as if these people (Bobo) think Barca give you a choice in the matter

COTR wrote:

shazlx wrote:Bullshit commentary from Sky sports right now. Apparently Arsenal deliberately played defensively?

I don't think they get it that Barcelona press. Fabregas was unfit/shit, Diaby is shit, Rosicky is passed it. Defensively positioned players, Sagna, Diaby, Wilshire all got forward when we had the opportunity.

Not playing defensively (Fabregas) cost Arsenal the first goal

Wilshere was bringing the ball out of midfield all night

It's almost as if these people (Bobo) think Barca give you a choice in the matter

Its not even that, we tried and failed to play attackting but the lost the ball. These people are talking as if you're not meant to track back and and hold your position when you loosed the ball.

pep fires back at wenger

Journalists: "Wenger said the penalty has changed the game. They could have won the game if RVP wasn't sent off."

Pep: "Here is another fact: Arsenal didn't pass the ball three consecutive times neither shot a single time on goal."

COTR wrote:

shazlx wrote:Bullshit commentary from Sky sports right now? Apparently Arsenal deliberately played defensively?

I don't think they get it that Barcelona press. Fabregas was unfit/shit, Diaby is shit, Rosicky is passed it. Defensively positioned players, Sagna, Diaby, Wilshire all got forward when we had the opportunity.

Not playing defensively (Fabregas) cost Arsenal the first goal

Wilshere was bringing the ball out of midfield all night

It's almost as if these people (Bobo) think Barca give you a choice in the matter

Fabregas being an idiot cost Barca the first goal.

Wilshere spent most of the night fouling Iniesta and Xavi.

If it makes you happy COTR, I an say that Arsenal wanted to play good attacking football but for some reason their players had the urge to sit deep and lose posession/hoof it, whenever they got the ball.

Messiah wrote:wenger

"Beaten by the best team in Europe. With 11 v 11 we would have won" (sounds a bit like Jose guess both managers took a page out of his book for this match)

It is generally accepted that Wenger is one of the more deluded managers around - and to say "we would have won" is perhaps a comment that only the likes of Wenger/Fergie/Mourinho/Benitez would come out with. But Arsenal were 3-2 ahead on aggregate at the time - and you had failed to convert a lot of good chances - so I don't see why you've highlighted that comment as being funny.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

S4P wrote:When was the last time an English team got a penalty or had an opposing player sent off in a CL knockout match?

Puyol sending off/Fabregas pen last season. Hope that helps.

It does.

Arsenal wouldn't even be in this situation had they not fucked up those group games against Shakhtar & Braga - they could be celebrating a humping of Roma tonight... just saying.

Red n' Black wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Noah and the Bale wrote:FULL-TIME Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Roma (agg 6-2)

Roma. Is there a team more consistently underachieving slash shit in Europe?

Another European adventure in which Totti has achieved nada. And yet, some scorn Messi's achievements in the Champions League

Totti has been woeful this season, if he was ever going to achieve anything in the CL it would have been some 5-10 years ago. The comparison is not really fair though, Messi has much better opportunities to shine in the CL when playing for a club like Barca.

I just read Totti didn't even play in the game today, did he?

Anyway, as you said, in his prime Totti could have literally gone to any of the three big clubs in Italy(or even abroad) at any time he wished. I would have loved a prime Totti in Milan, and I'm pretty sure he would have won a few titles as well while being the protagonist.

Exactly. Roma are shite these days. Even if they had Messi or Ronaldo, they would burn. You cannot blame Totti for this. And since when is reaching the last 16 of CL become an underachievement for Roma??

Totti has led Roma to their most glorious phase in history, and over the last 10-12 years, he has been one of the best players in Serie A, if not the best. That itself is achievement enough, and deserves respect. There have been a lot of great players in Serie A during this period including Zidane, Ronaldo, Ibra, Sheva, Kaka, Nedved, etc... outshining players like these, specially during the first half of last decade, is quite an achievement...

Not sure where this criticism is coming from, specially considering that Totti didn't even play tonight... Totti is 34 now, way past his best...

Deluded F*ck™ wrote:Arsenal wouldn't even be in this situation had they not fucked up those group games against Shakhtar & Braga - they could be celebrating a humping of Roma tonight... just saying.

?

Isn't it better to go out early and then be allowed to concentrate on the league? There's no way we could guarantee enough fit players to beat Barcelona/ other good team further down the season. We had all our important players fit for the first leg. Its just unfortunate that so many were unfit for this leg. We only really have a chance of beating the big teams when we have out starting XI (with only the lesser players maybe missing).

shazlx wrote:

Deluded F*ck™ wrote:Arsenal wouldn't even be in this situation had they not fucked up those group games against Shakhtar & Braga - they could be celebrating a humping of Roma tonight... just saying.

?

Isn't it better to go out early and then be allowed to concentrate on the league? There's no way we could guarantee enough fit players to beat Barcelona/ other good team further down the season. We had all our important players fit for the first leg. Its just unfortunate that so many were unfit for this leg. We only really have a chance of beating the big teams when we have out starting XI (with only the lesser players maybe missing).

No, you give yourself every opportunity possible to win (Charlie Sheen for next Arsenal manager?). It's the biggest club competition in the world.

Giving yourself every opportunity to win involved qualifying at the top of your group. You failed this and ended up with Barca. Who knows, maybe they'd have eventually run into a Chelsea or a Man Utd (with a fit Ferdinand in defence) who have no problems parking the bus from the outset, making the path to possible CL glory easier for you.

Yes Barcelona pushed you back, and Walcott was a big miss to counter this, the Red Card was a joke and you had injuries, but I can't help thinking that this is Wenger's doing due to his arrogance in the group stage.