Arselona?

Full of determination, I had a cup of coffee, crashed at 11, hopeful that I would be able to wake up for the 'big one'. Unfortunately, that dream never materialise and I was left to feed on the scraps, so to speak. Watching the replay was not as bad as I first thought, though I would've still preferred to watch it while it was 'still in the oven'.

Absolutely electrifying game, produced by unarguably, the two best footballing teams in the world at the moment. (United fans may have something to say about that, they always do). Much was expected of the game and it more than lived up to the pre-match hype.

Arsenal were quick off the blocks with Theo Walcott running at the Barca defense, leaving Abidal and Maxwell chasing shadows. Barcelona grew into it quickly though, and managed to get a hold on the game, possession wise.

Before the half hour mark, they were ahead and deservedly so. Messi collected the ball and threaded an absolutely scrumptious pass for David Villa who unduly gobbled it up and slotted it pass the Arsenal keeper. Arsenal were more than rattled and the crowd were beginning to have a sense of de-ja-vu and feared for the worse.

That did not happen though as Arsenal managed to carve out a chance or two of their own, but failed to take advantage of either. Second half was a different story, as the Gunners manager to stifle the exquisite play of the Spaniards, always finding themselves surrounded by the Red & White shirts. Messi left his lucky boots at home, and was not able to influence the game as much as he would've hoped. The substitution of David Villa meant that the 'Little Pea' had no outlet to play his favourite one-two-three-fours. Keita's arrival somewhat disrupted the crisp passing of the Catalonians, as Pep Guardiola looked to hold on to the single goal advantage. Arsene Wenger on the other hand, decided to play his cards, and on came the duo of Arshavin and Bendtner. With twelve minutes to go, the much-awaited goal came. Arshavin found himself on the left, supported by Clichy. He passed to the Frenchman and the left-back then stabbed a through-ball over the top of the defense to Van Persie. The angle was very tight, but as everyone found out, not impossible. The Dutchman powered a shot at the near post and scored from an improbable angle. Valdes was more than disappointed as he was expecting a cross to Bendtner.

Barcelona were rattled, and the crowd knew it. Watching the game, it felt like the Emirates was vibrating. It was 'one of those nights', European Cup tie where it has a certain aura. This is the first time I think it was at the Emirates. I remember one Thierry Henry, saying that the only stadiums in the world which had the 'shiver down your spine' feeling was Highbury and Anfield.

The Catalans, for the first time in a while, were not able to zip the ball around as they would've wished. After that, Djourou gave the ball away needlessly and Barca were on the counter. Eboue managed to mop it up but stroked the ball to no one. Arsenal barely survived. Another Barca attack came, Arsenal weathered it and launched a devastating counter-punch. A counter attack that words cannot explain, and soon, Nasri was with the ball on the right hand side of the Barcelona box. He spotted the little Russian and the magician delicately passed the ball into the net. 2-1 to the Arsenal. As the commentator said, Arsenal scored a Barcelona goal. A combination of Arselona perhaps?

"Rise and rise again, until lambs become lions". (Robin Hood perhaps?) This is exactly what Arsenal were last night. The transition was not easy, but well worth the wait. On the night, they did who things superbly, with elegance and a sense of robustness. First, they stopped Barcelona playing their usual game, and followed it up with a game of their own.

That being said, it is only half done, and a mammoth of a task awaits at the Nou Camp. They will have to play better than they did last night if they want to stand a chance o knocking out the Catalans. Mark you calendars to three weeks from now, and all one can do is wait.

Till next time,
Goodbye.