Arsenal Barca

[sheshnu]

Whilst Arsenal did play very well it'd take a very stauch gooner to believe it shouldn't have been 2-0 at HT and its open to debate if Arsenal would have had the momentum to come back at that point. However that's slightly irrelevant.

Barca shot themselves in the foot by taking off Villa and bringing on Keita. It messed up the system and rather than providing bulk in the middle it just took away Iniesta and stopped the the flow of passing and they couldn't keep the ball. Arsenal on the other hand shifted Nasri into the middle and they were able to keep the ball better in there. The two subs changed the game so kudos to Wenger for that one.

Barca are still favourites to go through but what was really pleasing was seeing a team actually try and beat them at their own game rather than 'parking the bus'. It proves you don't have to meet flair with negativity. The only irony is that despite playing that game well, their two goals were on the counter.

Also agree with the Wilshere/Koscielny love in. Disappointed that Song's been overlooked in it all though, he had a great game, really broke the play up well and was unlucky with his booking

Zonal Marking couldn't agree more

[Tails]

Whilst Arsenal did play very well it'd take a very stauch gooner to believe it shouldn't have been 2-0 at HT and its open to debate if Arsenal would have had the momentum to come back at that point.

Agree with what you said, but they did that last season to draw 2-2 at home......

the difference this season is now Arsenal can go away and know they dont have to score to go through, unlike last season which is probably part of the reason they lost.

But they do have to keep a clean sheet. I think Arsenal need to go into it with the same mentality as yesterday, if they sit back they'll lose because the team isn't organized for that. I should make a distinction between sitting back and being forced back. Two different things and Arsenal countered from the latter brilliantly yesterday. Don't think they suit the former though

They just have to avoid defeat.

[Row Z Royal]

Disappointed that Song's been overlooked in it all though, he had a great game, really broke the play up well and was unlucky with his booking

Decent analysis. I personally think Alex Song is an outstanding player. He is really under-rated in my opinion. He does the 'ugly' side of the game well and with discipline, but he's a real player too.

His performance was made only stronger by the fact he got booked in the sixth minute and was therefore walking a tightrope for the rest of the game.

I was surprised that Song stayed on the pitch. There were a couple of challenges that would usually draw yellows that the ref held back on.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Agree with what you said, but they did that last season to draw 2-2 at home......

the difference this season is now Arsenal can go away and know they dont have to score to go through, unlike last season which is probably part of the reason they lost.

But they do have to keep a clean sheet. I think Arsenal need to go into it with the same mentality as yesterday, if they sit back they'll lose because the team isn't organized for that. I should make a distinction between sitting back and being forced back. Two different things and Arsenal countered from the latter brilliantly yesterday. Don't think they suit the former though

They just have to avoid defeat.

Or lose 3-2...

[TBM]

They just have to avoid defeat.

Or lose 3-2...

OR 2-1 and then win on pens

[PEARCEY]

A terrific game of football. Thought Barca let Arsenal off the hook though with some poor finishing particularly from Messi. They way Barca passed the ball was superb. A great game with a cracking second-leg to follow.

[The Surgeon of Crowthorne]

Bizarely (to me at least), the Grauniad only gave Koscielny 6/10 this morning and Van Persie 8/10, when I though Van Persie had (goal and snap shot in the first half apart) made a number of poor decisions during the game, often taking more touches than necessary or leaving it too late to try the shot - and his goal looked to be as much poor positioning by Valdes as it was a good strike.

[donface]

Koscielny was fukking briliant. MOM for me by quite some stretch.

[TBM]

Predictions for tonight?

Personally i cant see past a Barca win, maybe 3 or 4-0

BUT Arsenal don't have to go and score, unlike last season

[ZacNaloen]

If Arsenal score at all then Barca have to score a minimum of three goals iirc

Could be a tense match

[Wax Jacket]

yeah i agree, 1-0 Barca for me

[Big Foot]

Barcelona to win 1-0

[ZacNaloen]

Barcelona are without Puyol and Pique though...

[southbank1871]

I'm going for a 1-1 draw, Arsenal to go through.

[Royal Rother]

I'm surprised at the optimism on here - I'd go 4-1 Barcelona.

[Maguire]

2-0 Barca

Not sure what Arsenal's injury situation is but if RVP, Theo, and Fabregas are all either unfit or half-fit then I don't think they've got much of a chance tbh.

[ZacNaloen]

Fabregas and RVP are both fit apparently

[gazzer, loyal royal]

Barcelona are without Puyol and Pique though...

same as last year then

[muddyfeet]

1 - 1 all for me

have a good feeling Arsenal will go through

[Maguire]

Fabregas and RVP are both fit apparently

Hmm, RVP is made of glass so we'll see