The Centre Circle

Phew! I think I’ve just got my breath back after an amazing, special match. A game that had absolutely everything. Firstly hats off to both sides, firstly to Barcelona whose opening 20 minutes of football was as mesmerising an period of football as I think I have ever seen by any team at any time in my life. Simply stunning!! It could have been 5 or 6-0 without several stunning saves from Almunia. Wave after wave of attack rained down on a bewildered Arsenal rearguard. I have never seen an Arsenal side denied the ball so much and I think the Gunners just plain froze, just like rabbits in the headlights. Surely the dam was going to break as profligate Ibrahimovic, Xavi and Busquets missed chance after chance but goalless it remained. Xavi and Messi continued to weave pretty patterns, yet Arsenal could have taken an undeserved lead when Nasri’s curling effort flew narrowly wide. Arsenal’s task was made doubly difficult with calf injuries to both Arshavin and Gallas, both having to be substituted with Eboue and Denilson, and Fabregas was harshly booked for what seemed to me a perfectly timed sliding tackle, ruling him out of the second leg at the Camp Nou.

How it was scoreless at half-time nobody knew, but 30 seconds into the second half, before many of the Emirates faithful, had taken their seats (including Arsene Wenger), Barcelona caught Arsenal cold. A simple pass through to Ibrahimovic who glanced up to see Almunia charging off his line before sending a lovely chip floating over the stranded keeper into the net. On the hour, the magnificent Xavi sent a clever ball through a static Gunners defence for Ibrahimovic to smash home the second. Maybe it was arrogance or over confidence I don’t know, but The Catalans seemed to sit back a touch, maybe thinking the tie was done and dusted already, but it was to cost them dearly. Wenger threw on his last card and brought on Theo Walcott. The flying Englishman had an immediate impact terrorising Maxwell, and it was no surprise when Walcott sped past the aging central defender, latched onto a ball from Niklas Bentner and fired home a shot which Victor Valdes should have held. The tide had turned and Arsenal poured forward looking for an improbable second. With five minutes remaining it was Walcott again who reaching the by-line pulling back a cross to Bentner whose cushioned header fell for Fabregas. As he tried to strike home, a challenge from Puyol brought down the Arsenal number four, the referee pointed to the spot and then sent off the offender off for the foul, a touch harsh in my view. Taking responsibility into his own hands, Fabregas stepped up and buried the spot kick. It has now transpired that the Arsenal captain scored with a fractured leg and continued on hobbling until the final whistle. If anybody doubted him they shouldn’t now; here was an act of complete loyalty to the Arsenal cause which should be applauded. An example for the rest of the team how a captain should act in leading his troops in the heat of a battle.

So at half time in the tie, 2-2 and the outcome incredibly still in the balance. The cost of the night to both teams may be considerable. Fabregas is definitely out & Arsenal wait on injury news to Gallas and Arshavin, whereas Barcelona will have both central defenders missing for the return leg. The fact that Arsenal survived the battering that they did will I think in a strange way encourage them that they can go to Barcelona with some hope. They certainly have the speed up front to frighten Guardiola and his team and it will be interesting how Wenger decides to switch his team around. I would play the experienced Rosicky in central midfield (his natural position) Nasri on the left and Walcott on the right. I expect Campbell to come in place of Gallas. Barcelona though on their home patch remain clear favourites to progress.

I hope the second game can live up to the drama produced at the Emirates in game one. Monsieur Wenger promised us a masterpiece before match began. Guardiola, Wenger himself and all the players involved did not disappoint.