The Lost Cause !

1

February 19, 2011 by Archy

(Running Commentary ) –  Wilshere (without pause), Fabregas (again without pause),thats a

Arsenal Celebrate after the second goal

delightful ball for Nasri, can he go all the way (takes breath) squares it for Arshavinnnnnnnnnnnnn!!(high pitch , excited voice) what a finish, Arsenal have turned this game on its head, its 2-1 to the Gunners.( Commentary stopped). Yes, Arsenal have rattled Barcelona and along with it rattled the whole world with an IMPRESSIVE (i have to say) performance against a Barcelona side that are arguably the best footballing side ever to play the beautiful game. The ‘boys’ of Arsenal finally played like men.

Words have been flying around after the game of how the ‘English League is better than the La Liga ‘and ‘thats what happens when you face an English side ‘, ‘Barcelona are sore losers’ and on and on. I mean common get a grip, Arsenal did beat Barcelona and they deserved to and i personally believe the English league is better than the La Liga but what has all this(the comments) to do with the match. A match in which both teams respected each other, sticked to their philosophy and gifted us with an enthralling game. 2 brilliant teams, a nail-biting finish and an awesome first leg but its only half time. Lets move on from all this drama and analyse the football game for a bit.

Lets be honest, the Catalans performed well below their usual standards but still were allowed space and created numerous clear cut chances but it just wouldn’t be their night, it wouldn’t be Messi’s night. Now if you take a look at Arsenal each and every player had the game of their lives (well excluding say Djourou and Eboue), they played at a level they have never been before. Koscielny, Wilshere, Van Persie all had outstanding games but the ‘Outstanding’ of Arsenal JUST EDGED an ‘Average’ Catalan performance.Now just ask yourselves can Arsenal perform the same ‘Outstanding’ again in the second leg, if i’d put my money it would be on a big NO. And even if they do,Barcelona at the Nou Camp,in their own backyard, in front of over 98000 Catalans its going to be a much stronger Barca side and if allowed to play(Arsenal will surely stick to their philosophy and let them) and create chances The Gunners are surely going to be gunned down and battered for a second year in a row by Messi & Co.

For me, the first leg is as good as it gets for the Arsenal fans. Come 8th March, Arsenal are going to be fighting for a lost cause.

AAMER ASLAM