Passed Out of Europe

Millions across the world would have witnessed the show at the Nou Camp last night. If ever a team wants to learn how to pass and keep the ball, then watch the game, over and over again. On one side of the fence, Barcelona, who are the Spanish champions, came in to the game needing to reverse a 2-1 deficit in the 1st leg 3 weeks ago at the Emirates stadium versus Arsenal.

There were no surprises from both managers regarding team news bar the inclusion of Robin van Persie for Arsenal as the Dutchman was supposed to return in four weeks against Blackburn. Mind games perhaps by Wenger? Will the gamble pay dividends or backfire? As the match would prove, the latter happened, and it was very hard to swallow.

First half was all Barcelona. The Catalans, zipping the ball around with ease but were unable to find the knock out blow in front of goal. They were guilty of playing that extra pass, usually associated with Arsenal. The Gunners played very well defensively, with the partnership of Koscielny and Djourou able to stifle the Barcelona attack. Clichy on the left managed to marshal Dani Alves, who was literally playing as a winger. As Graeme Souness pointed out, Arsenal, who are the best team in England at keeping the ball, could not do it for 5 seconds against the so-called masters of the game and rightly so. The surprising thing was their game plan. Sitting back and sort of absorbing the pressure. Half time stats read that the possession was a shade under 70% for the Spaniards. The players who were in the Barcelona half during the 1st period were van Persie, and, ...van Persie. That is a testament to their game plan and Barcelona's quality.

After an Alves freekick, Wojciech Szczesny injured his finger after stopping a shot from the Brazilian. That meant that Almunia had to come on, and that sent shivers down my spine. The Spaniard has had one of the worse seasons ever after 'ludacris' performances in the Premier League. Surprisingly enough, he played well and kept Arsenal in the game. In injury time in the 1st half, Barcelona struck the opener. A silly backheel by Fabregas of all people went to Iniesta who took the ball and chipped in slightly into the path of Lionel Messi who coolly juggled the ball over the onrushing Almunia and volleyed it into the net. 1-0 to Barcelona and all of Arsenal's efforts were down the drain.

Second half, Arsenal tried to up the pace, but Barcelona still had the grip on the game. Then, from a corner, Sergio Busquets headed past his own keeper to level the score. A gift on a plate for the Gunners. As things stood, Arsenal would go through unless Barcelona scored another two goals. A couple of minutes after that, a contentious decision which will be talked about for a long time, was made by Swiss referee, Massimo Busacca. Van Persie was offside, though he got his shot away about a second after the whistle had blown. The ref, then out of nowhere, awarded the striker a yellow card for his action. Off went the Dutchman, and Arsenal were down to ten.

The writing was on the wall by then. A man down against the best team on the planet, there wasn't much they could do to delay the inevitable. On 68 minutes, a brilliant piece of Barcelona play saw Xavi in the box and he slotted the ball beyond Almunia although Bacary Sagna tried his best to block it and got a piece of it. Shortly after, a late challenge by Koscielny on Pedro in the box, meant that Messi would step up to take the penalty. The little wizard rolled the ball beyond Almunia who did not move.

Barcelona still ventured forward, and if not for Almunia, they would have run up a cricket score. In the 87th minute, Arsenal had a glorious chance. Arshavin nudged the ball off Adriano, and Jack Wilshere had the ball. He picked out Nicklas Bendtner who was rushing toward the box. The Big Dane had a very poor first touch and the ball was smothered by Victor Valdes. That was it as the chances went. The night would be remembered for two things. Firstly, the sending off of Van Persie. Also, the sheer dominance by Barcelona, especially in the first half, was a real workshop on how to play the beautiful game.

For Arsenal, it showed how your season can crumble in a week although the previous months have been good. The draw against Sunderland meant they failed to close the gap on leaders Man Utd. This game signalled their exit out of Europe. At the weekend, they will be facing the Red Devils for a place in the semifinals of the FA Cup. If they lose, then it will most certainly mean another season of "close, but no cigar", and the fans will surely start to get impatient. Gloomy times ahead for the team from North London.