The red card helped Arsenal

[astabooty]

Anyone who has watched Barcelona this year knows that. Barcelona is a great team, but they are crap at breaking a bunkering team. It has happened for at least 2 years now that Barcelona is worse DEFENSIVELY against a team that bunkers than a team that actually plays offense.

After the red card Arsenal played with 10 men within 25m of the goal and countered through Henry and sometimes Ljunberg. Barcelona's defense against the counter is the weakest part of their game.

One only needs to look at the last clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid for proof. Barcelona were owning the game until Roberto Carlos got himself sent off. With less men nearly every team will sit back, clogging the box, making it more difficult for Barcelona, as they are a team that wishes to walk the ball into the goal.

I really think it is time for people to end the cries that the red helped Barcelona and that Barcelona could barely beat 10 men, as it is not always easier.

[flyerhawk]

You do realize that Arsenal was in control of the game up until the red card, yes?

[DCFAN96]

You do realize that Arsenal was in control of the game up until the red card, yes?

I wouldn't say in control but they looked good going foward. I'm not going to say that the red helped Arsenal since that makes no sense, but if you were to ask Barca whether they would've wanted the red or the goal they most likely would've taken the goal. It would've forced Arsenal to take more chances chasing the game and opening holes in the defense for Barca to expose. THe red did force Arseanl to bunker and made Barca's task of scoring a lot harder then it would have been with 11 men on the pitch and Arsenal pushing men foward.

[astabooty]

Arsenal were in control for the 1st 5 mins or so, that was not the case by the 17th min or whenever the red card happened.

[kotto_bass]

You do realize that Arsenal was in control of the game up until the red card, yes?. Well, they were in control in the first 15 mins. But it is normal for Barca to find their fluid passing game during that time, and finish off oponents. If you notice, someone like Eto'o wasn't really pressured during the first 15 mins (and Eboue showed him too much respect), but watch his run when he scored. The Arsenal defense was already tired. And then Belleti's goal. It was as if the defense was static!

[Excape Goat]

You do realize that Arsenal was in control of the game up until the red card, yes?

No, Arsenal was in control for the first 3 minutes or so. Then, Barcelona took over. I watched the first twenty minutes of match three times. I did not see the first 20 minutes during live. I watch it for the first time after I read someone here mentioned about the Arsenal domination and decided to see whether Arsenal dominated the first 20 minutes. Yes, they did in the first 5 minutes after Henry nearly scored twice inside that period*to be exact the first three minutes of the match). Then, Barcelona took over. In fact, Barcelona looked less dangerious after the red card, but I would not say the card helped Arsenal. It does not happen in football with ateam playing 10 men. However, I just could not understand why Arsenal fans were so upset with the card. It saved them for a goal.

[flyerhawk]

To be clear I'm not suggesting that Arsenal would control the entire game. I was simply pointing out that they had the better run of the game up until the card. Granted they were also about to go down 1-0.

But there is no question in my mind that Arsenal could have overcome a 1 goal deficit with their full 11. Not saying they would have won but playing a man down against the best team in the world isn't a recipe for success.

[astabooty]

Excape goat, it does happen in soccer, just look at the last game you played vs barcelona. the red clearly helped real in that match.

[Spion Kopite]

Before the red card, Arsenal MOST DEFINATELY were getting the better of Barcelona.

Seems this present Barca team can only prevail and look good against English clubs when those English clubs are down to 10 men.:p

[Excape Goat]

But there is no question in my mind that Arsenal could have overcome a 1 goal deficit with their full 11. Not saying they would have won but playing a man down against the best team in the world isn't a recipe for success.

Arsenal definitely had a better chance with 11 men. I also feel that it is posisble for Barcelona to score a second goal because Arsenal is forced to attack. Barcelona has more room for Ronaldinho or Etoo to move around. The game will be entirely different because of the card.


Excape goat, it does happen in soccer, just look at the last game you played vs barcelona. the red clearly helped real in that match.


I thought it was Motta who gave the goal to Ronaldo for that game. :) Anyway, I admitted that it would be tougher for Barcelona to score because Arsenal put up a bunker defense. but if i am a Barcelona fan, I would be happy to play the other team losing a player due to red card.

[kotto_bass]

But there is no question in my mind that Arsenal could have overcome a 1 goal deficit with their full 11. Not saying they would have won but playing a man down against the best team in the world isn't a recipe for success.
Well, playing against Barca is worse when they are ahead, than when they are a man advantage. Just ask Milan or Chelsea or Benfica etc.

[flyerhawk]

Well, playing against Barca is worse when they are ahead, than when they are a man advantage. Just ask Milan or Chelsea or Benfica etc.

Well sure. And having a 2 goal lead is better than facing a 2 goal deficit.

I'm sure we can ask Chelsea about playing with a man down against Barcelona as well.

[kakaboypuf redded]

Nice attempt, but i think everyone knows this. Its just that EPL fanboys and jealous anti Barcelona kiddies will try to bring Barcelona down no matter what.

I can only laugh and make some silly comments towards them. They are not to be taken seriously in the first place :)

[Chuck-Puyol-Norris]

Very, very true. It gave Wenger an excuse to play defensively and stop Barca's attacks by plugging the goal up instead of actually defending well. And it left our defence open for Henry since we would only defend with 2-3 players.

It helped stop our attacks because we had no room and it gave Henry more space on the counters.

If it was 1-0 Barca, the goals would have kept rolling in while Arsenal were trying to attack.

The way Arsenal played is the disgusting way you should try and stop Barcelona. It is disgusting, but it is the only way. Arsenal just weren't good enough though.

[ilovefotball]

stop arguing about this match. the decision made by the refree helped Arsenal more than Barca.

if that red card was not given then Barca would have a goal. and that goal is a done deal, noone can take it away from you, but to play against 10 men is not a guarantee for a team to score goal. i have seen many games where team with 10 men have not conceeded a goal or won the game.

if that goal was given Arsenal might have probably been tired chasing the ball, because there is where Barca is best: TO KEEP THE BALL IN THE TEAM. and they control and make fun of their opponents when they are leading the game. you see all technics and movements of Ronaldinho when Barca leads the Game not when they lies under. and one more thing Arsenal is best to counter attack and if they were lying 1 goal down they would have never got this chance because this advantage would have been for Barca.

[schafer]

Anyone who has watched Barcelona this year knows that. Barcelona is a great team, but they are crap at breaking a bunkering team. It has happened for at least 2 years now that Barcelona is worse DEFENSIVELY against a team that bunkers than a team that actually plays offense.

After the red card Arsenal played with 10 men within 25m of the goal and countered through Henry and sometimes Ljunberg. Barcelona's defense against the counter is the weakest part of their game.

One only needs to look at the last clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid for proof. Barcelona were owning the game until Roberto Carlos got himself sent off. With less men nearly every team will sit back, clogging the box, making it more difficult for Barcelona, as they are a team that wishes to walk the ball into the goal.

I really think it is time for people to end the cries that the red helped Barcelona and that Barcelona could barely beat 10 men, as it is not always easier.

I don't know. I find it hard to believe that playing with 10 men for 72 minutes is ever better than simply going down a goal on 18 minutes.

Btw, if any team was good at breaking down bunker defenses, I would guess it was Barcelona.

[unclesox]

stop arguing about this match. the decision made by the refree helped Arsenal more than Barca.

if that red card was not given then Barca would have a goal. and that goal is a done deal, noone can take it away from you, but to play against 10 men is not a guarantee for a team to score goal. i have seen many games where team with 10 men have not conceeded a goal or won the game.

if that goal was given Arsenal might have probably been tired chasing the ball, because there is where Barca is best: TO KEEP THE BALL IN THE TEAM. and they control and make fun of their opponents when they are leading the game. you see all technics and movements of Ronaldinho when Barca leads the Game not when they lies under. and one more thing Arsenal is best to counter attack and if they were lying 1 goal down they would have never got this chance because this advantage would have been for Barca.
Unless I'm reading this wrong, it appears that your contradicting your initial statement with the last paragraph. :confused:

[flyerhawk]

Very, very true. It gave Wenger an excuse to play defensively and stop Barca's attacks by plugging the goal up instead of actually defending well. And it left our defence open for Henry since we would only defend with 2-3 players.

It helped stop our attacks because we had no room and it gave Henry more space on the counters.

If it was 1-0 Barca, the goals would have kept rolling in while Arsenal were trying to attack.

The way Arsenal played is the disgusting way you should try and stop Barcelona. It is disgusting, but it is the only way. Arsenal just weren't good enough though.

Interesting. So Arsenal going down a man somehow gave Barcelona LESS room and Henry MORE space to work on the counters? Perhaps they should have gone 2 players. They would have been unstoppable then!!

Arsenal played the only way THEY COULD given that they were down a man. Apparently you think Arsenal should have just ignored the fact that they were down a man played Barcelona's style of play.

[argentine soccer fan]

I think in most situations a team would rather lose a player than be a goal down. Every goalkeeper worth anything will risk a red card in order to save a goal.

[ilovefotball]

Unless I'm reading this wrong, it appears that your contradicting your initial statement with the last paragraph. :confused:

:confused:

read it again please.