Barcelona v. Arsenal (UEFA Champions' League, 1st knock-out round, 2nd leg) 3/8/11. Match Thread

I think if we can score two goals it will be enough to send us through.

 

Kill!!!

Give no quarter!

 

Let's forget about sunderland. Our boys sure will let's move on and remember that we can beat this team with the team we are taking. We are in a minor slump and the boys will be gunning for this (pun not intended). Let's believe! Cmon you gunners!

 

after today's result I'm even more nervous than before. Closing the gab between us and United to just one could have been a massive confidence boost coming into this game.

 

Please, Arsenal. Please.

 

We're going to be in the away kit most likely?

 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/ch...potential-doubt-for-arsenals-champions-league

 

We can do this!
1-1 or
2-2
I'll take that and run......

UP THE ARSE!

 

No Van Persie and Walcott. Cesc and Song might make it while Wilshere is a doubt. It's going to be an uphill battle. I'd like to believe that we can do it but I think we're going to bow out.

 

Once again, we go to Barcelona seriously depleted. Arsene says defense will be key. Let's see if we can pull an Inter and keep a clean sheet. They rarely go airball and both Djorou and Kos are quick as are Sagna and Clichy. It is the MF that worries me. Let's hope Bendy plays the game of his life.

 

Our midfield is going to be our key to the match. If we can't work through their high pressure the way we were able to at the Emirates then the task gets even harder. We know we wont win the possession battle, but we must be able to hold the ball for periods of the match.

The last half hour is where we can win this tie.

 

Without RvP or Walcott im not optimistic about our ability to score a goal. Shuting Barca out in the Nou aint easy either. Hard to see a way through. We need our midfield to play out of their mind and hope for Nasri to steal a goal and with it a miraculous 1-1 tie to send us through.

I assume its the same lineup as today with Song and Cesc:

[LINEUP-4-5-1]Bendtner, Arashavin, Nasri, Cesc, Song, Jack, Clichy, Djourou, Kosciely, Song, Szczesny[/LINEUP-4-5-1]

 

Yep I agree with all who said midfield is the key. And alas, mainly from a defensive point of view.

Hard to imagine without all or some of Cesc/Song/Jack that we could control MF. Don't really see Diaby up to the task. Definitely not Denilson. And Ramsey hasn't even played any mins yet.

This has become an even bigger ask than it was at the end of leg 1. "Do you believe in miracles?!"

Maybe... if we get some Italian football strategy into our genes real quick.

 

I know its not really Arsenal's style, but I would hope if Barca are completely dominating game/chances in the first 15 that Wenger would be wise enough to have a backup formation with more of a defensive/counter-attacking bent in mind.

For instance if things are looking bad, but they haven't scored, I would like to see Bendtner come off and bring on another DM or an Eboue to try to frustrate their midfield and break up play.

Either way, if we are going to be without any or all of Wilshere, Song, RVP, Walcott, and Cesc it will be up to Arshavin and Nasri to come up with at least one moment of brilliance.

Go Gunners!

 

chamakh or bendtner?.......bendtner or chamakh? it's a dilemma

 

Can we at least attempt to get behind the ball when we don't have it (which will be fairly often in this game)?

If you see Xavi on the ball 2 yards away, don't stand behind him and watch Song+Jackelele try to defend against 4-5 Barca players.

 

@jack_wilshere
Afternoon everyone..just to let you know i am not injured and if selected will be fit to face Barca! Few kicks but nothing too bad!

 

What a legend.

 

JFW would have played Barca with a broken leg and still been best on, Bendy with a brace to send us through!

 

I only hope to be half the man he is.

 

Also big news

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...carles-puyol-ruled-out-of-arsenal-tie?cc=5901

Puyol and Pique will be out

 

So Maxwell---Abidal---??---Alves? Who fills in?

 

Milito?

 

Chamakh because he'll close down the defence for 90 minutes and B52 thinks he''s TH14 and can drop in and out of games.

We need 11 players to work, and to be honest I don't trust B52 to do it for 40 minutes let alone 90.