Barcelona-Arsenal Losers Must Be Full of Disappointment

When the first knockout round draw emerged and I saw the tantalizing rematch, two things came to mind:

1) Well, stupid Arsene got what he wished for. (And I think he was lying about wanting Barcelona)
2) Arsenal have a chance.

But Arsenal have always had a chance. Last year they had a shot at winning the tie. Two years ago they played United well at Old Trafford in a first-leg of a semi-final. They stayed in the top four over Liverpool. The mantra with Arsenal is that they are so talented but when will they outgrow and put their youthful concerns to bed.

They had constantly reached impressive later stages of competitions but had never performed well in the end. They were decimated early by United in that second leg at home. They’ve been schooled by Manchester again the past two seasons in the league (which I think will happen again in a month) as well. They were taught a lesson by Lio Messi last spring.

Naturally, a year or so later, they’d be more mature. That is why the first leg resulted like it did. Now neither I nor anyone could have seen it play out as it did, but the finish wasn’t surprising. Arsenal was in control for the most part. Messi missed a couple chances and Arsenal’s speed was too much for the poor finishing by Barcelona to keep pace with. While they did possess massively at times, The Catalans also had to run around a lot more than they are used to.

I myself predicted a 2-1 finish but when Villa put his chance away, of course I thought the floodgates could have opened right up. However, Arsenal stuck to it, Barcelona fell back, and the rest was a historical finish for the Gunners.

On paper, I think the advantage is huge for Arsenal. That being said, it is not bad for Barcelona. Down a goal going home to where they are undoubtedly the best team in the world may seem like nothing to most people. I disagree to such extent but it is a very favourable position for the home side. I think both teams must feel confident. Arsenal have a lead and are only down one away goal should it come to that. The 2nd leg has been set up perfectly.

All that said, so many other factors have emerged to make this match very challenging for both.
Both teams have concerning losses. Arsenal is without Theo Walcott. Barcelona is without Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué.

Puyol was announced out early on the sixth but until I see him out, I will think he is playing. Who knows if he’s got a shot or not of playing or if it’s mind games. But who cares. Arsenal must think they will be facing the strongest side possible.

Robin Van Persie was supposed to miss but has been named on the roster the morning of the match. Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere had late tests but their statuses were never going to be of any big deal.

At first-look, Barcelona’s losses are far greater. Initially I had them pretty even with v. Persie out but his return is great news. He is the only Arsenal striker I trust. He had a poor first leg before his goal came (which may have been luck itself) as he didn’t take most his chances.

Andrei Arshavin exquisitely finished his only big one (then almost conceded late tying goal) and I keep hearing how great Nicklas Bendtner is but I’ve never seen it. I said before the season that Marouane Chamakh would never play in any big games and if he features at all today I will be surprised; stunned if he does anything good with his PT. And if so, it’s because v. Persie is not 100 percent and Theo is out.

Arsenal is deeper than Man City in my view. Barcelona is also very deep. But you can only play 11 guys at a time. Barcelona will be thin at the back and I expect Mascherano to come in whether Puyol makes a shock start or not. I believe Busquets would keep his starting position as well.

The answer to the points I am about to make is that Barcelona are far better at home than they are in Europe. In La Liga it’s a different story. However, I see much cause for concern ahead of today’s elimination game.

We all saw that without just one of their star centre-halves, they are very vulnerable. Even if Puyol plays, the advantage goes to the Arsenal. Especially if v. Persie is on the field. Arsenal’s deep attacking roster can cause fits for any first-team, certainly a makeshift backline missing its two best players-who allowed a whopping two goals in seven World Cup-winning fixtures.

I am a huge fan of Theo Walcott. He is far from being a superstar but his talent commands a starting position in any big game. While he is not as effective as Gareth Bale or Nani, the ten poor balls or finishes he doesn’t convert are wiped away by the one moment of brilliance that can change or even end an entire match. His speed alone is so valuable that whether he produces anything after it or not-just having the defence on their heels all game is enough of an asset.

I am sure he will be sorely missed and Arshavin has to have one of his better performances of the year to compensate. I’d also like to see Samir Nasri play better. He was good (as was the entire team) in the 1st leg but he needs to be up there influentially with Fabregas and what Wilshere did.

I don’t expect Jack to do the same but it wouldn’t be shocking. I expect greatness from Cesc as usual. Any good finishing from the strikers will be greatly appreciated obviously.

Arsenal’s backline must get their lines right and defend when called into action; be on their toes. Both teams’ defences benefit from stellar midfield play.

Arsenal’s quicker pace to a similar style tired out Barcelona. They had a lot of the ball but they were also chasing frantically at times. That never happens. Additionally, Arsenal matched their intensity when they were defending and going after possession themselves.

If Arsenal score two goals they should be good. I cannot see them conceding four. If so, they must get a third and while possible, this will be extremely difficult when Barcelona has the aggregate lead. At 3-2 Barcelona, Arsenal will progress into the quarter-finals.

However, there is no reason that after the potential circumstances Arsenal cannot win or draw the match outright.

When it’s all said and done and the tie is complete, I’d love to see no excuses. Barcelona fans act as though they are defending back-to-back European Champions going for a three-peat. I hate to break it to them but they didn’t even reach two straight Finals.

Should they bow out, I don’t want to hear them complain about injuries. I know that if they lose, the players and coaches won’t point to anyone else. It is a class organization and I wish their fans were as intelligent as the people they idolize.

Truth is Messi should have scored surely at least once at Emirates if not twice and if he is to be praised during the good; his inability to deliver must be brought up after losses and the bad. That would be fair.

The same goes for Arsenal. Theo is a huge loss but with Barcelona’s issues at the back and a comfy 2-1 lead with the potential for a couple away goals-there are no excuses.

While I have concentrated more on Arsenal, it may show that I am in fact wary of how great Barcelona is. That is probably true. But I really do believe Arsenal can and should win the tie. Barcelona’s losses are greater in number and worth. Arsenal has a lead. Barcelona is thought of as the best but with all things considered, a loss for Arsenal would be as disappointing as a loss for Barcelona.

Barcelona must feel disappointment because it will quietly be two seasons where they have not won the biggest trophy in the world to them. The only reason Barcelona care at all about La Liga is to prevent Real Madrid from winning anything period. The Champions League is their holy grail.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal care about their league so greatly because it has more than two good teams.

Whoever watched Chelsea and United play last week and left thinking Barcelona would not only cruise but win the Premiership without struggle is mentally challenged. Please see a doctor. Truth is they would find it difficult to win the BPL and they would be in a dogfight with the five teams that are already competing for CL places in England.

Without UEFA, there is no way for non-English teams to prove how good they are. That is why they put the UCL up on a pedestal and historical English teams do not.

So a loss would be huge for the side that everyone seems to pencil into the Final and as Champions every September. It would certainly be a big failure. Especially this early in the KO stage and considering Arsenal were a group runner-up whom they torched a year ago with the same squad minus David Villa.

For Arsenal, a loss would not signify their potential demise, but represent the next step in their current downfall. They already blew their easiest chance at a trophy the last half-decade in the Carling Final and continue to let United’s poor play go unused when they falter as well.

Arsenal can beat anyone in any competition. A month ago, Wenger and others were talking up The Quadruple. By next Monday, they could be second in the league in their quest for The Single.
It’s no secret that Barcelona is getting older in the defence and possessive midfield. While their experience is second to none, their age is increasing slowly but perhaps noticeably now. Fans may be shocked at the sudden failures (which are mighty in Europe) and it could signal that more in-depth changes are needed than just adding a star goal-scorer for a tall waste of space who wears Alice bands.

I predict Arsenal going through regardless of the result of the second leg. I can’t see Barcelona netting four again, least Lionel by himself again (and that was truly epic). And should they score three, Arsenal should be able to net two themselves on a depleted central defence.

Final Note: Barcelona’s two losses this season have come with Puyol not on the field. And those were with Piqué on it.

In closing, the possible greatness of Arsenal’s season should they go on and the failure of Barcelona in the past two seasons to almost go unnoticed makes this a superb match. The first-leg was excellent and as a neutral, thoroughly enjoyed all 95 minutes of it. I expect more of the same free-flowing positive football by both sides.

Most important, this game matters a ton to both clubs and support groups. The consequences that follow for the loser could be felt greatly throughout the entire continent for the next few seasons.