Barcelona arrogance cost win against Arsenal
Posted by DavidM in Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Champions League | 17 February 2011
Last night, football fans witnessed one of the games of the season. The quality of football, pace and movement, as well as commitment and passion was exceptional. Even the normally quiet Arsenal crowd were in full voice with one friend who went saying it was the best atmosphere he'd ever heard at the Emirates.
The best passing team in England took on the best passing team in the world and nearly everyone, including Arsenal fans, expected a masterclass from Barcelona and a comprehensive win, just like last year.
In the first half we certainly got a fantastic display of fast, accurate, close-range passing from Barcelona. Their positioning, ball control and accuracy was astonishing. Arsenal looked second best for long periods and found themselves in the position they normally put opponents in - chasing shadows.
The goal was a moment of brilliance. A perfectly weighted ball cutting through the back four and a clinical finish. It was one of only a small number of lapses by an otherwise solid Arsenal defence. It's been the biggest area of worry for the Gunners this season, with their third choice keeper and two centre backs who are new to the club and each other. Last night though the defence and keeper played very well in exceptionally tough circumstances. They had to be so alert to every movement as the slightest gap - as the goal showed - could be punished.
There was more than great passing to liken Barcelona to Arsenal. The most frustrating part of Arsenal's game is that while they dominate possession and move the ball around freely in the middle of the field, they often don't produce an end product. For me, that was the problem last night with Barcelona too.
After going a goal up and controlling the game, they gave the impression that they had already won and the rest was simply a training exercise. Their confidence in their ability gave way to an arrogance that they couldn't be beaten.
But credit to Arsenal. Recognising you can't out-Barcelona the masters of the game they harried them and disrupted their game. Song appeared to have one instruction - let them know you are there - and he duly kicked lumps out of any Barca player who came near him. While he may have been lucky to avoid a red card, he also showed some great skill on the ball.
If Arsenal should have been two down at the end of the first half, they took charge of the second half as Bacelona looked increasingly uncomfortable. Jack Wilshere was outstanding in midfield. His close control was astonishing. Where Barcelona were sublime at one-touch passing, Arsenal, and Wilshere as the best example, held the ball and moved with it. The number of times he received the ball in a tight position and with simple movement of his body eased away from the challenge and into a forward position.
The defence, and Koscielny in particular, were solid. The whole team had an added physicality that is normally missing. Arsenal often appear a bit lightweight when playing teams lower in the league but last night there was no sign of that. Their ability to hold the ball under challenge was part of the reason for their success.
In all, Arsenal were a little lucky to come away with a win with a first half Barcelona off-side goal being dubious. But their display was exactly what was needed and will have shaken Barcelona. This will make Barcelona even more dangerous in the second leg as their arrogance will be replaced by greater determination. With another solid defensive display and better finishing though, Arsenal could progress to the next stage of the competition.
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