Arsenal – Barcelona Match Thread

I was watching that video while also watching my TV when the players came on and was presentated. Don't think i'd ever gotten more excited for a match :)

What a great game.

wilshere is the new xavi for arsenal, fab is our messi, nasri is our iniesta and walcot is our pedro
rvp is our villa.

again i have to say barca are the new arsenal lite

I recommend everyone watch this clip over and over and over again and don't forget the name on the back of that goal scorer's shirt.

http://video .stv .tv/bc/sport-champsleague-arshavin-20110216/

Hey guys.. Greetings from the other side of the coin...I Just have to add that Arsenal truly deserved this victory as all cules over on our sector agrees.

Of course, I hate the loss, but I’d rather lose against a team that plays to attack us and uses pressure (as you did) than lose against a team that just sits deep (Inter). If we do go out by the hands of Arsenal I truly want you guys to left that Trophy in May @ Wembley. That scene will truly be a touching memory to remember but as well all know the 2nd leg is all to play for Barca. I expect a war come the 8th of March...That said glasses raised to you guys for a job will done and hope you guys continue this form and win the League of Man U!!!

Very noble of you, Mario. We appreciate the love.

van persie for me is the ultimate symbol of arsenal, he has been there for so long and has never complained or made any fuss or wanted to leave the club despite not winning for so long and he is clearly a world class player, he has always just stuck at his task and played with his heart, has been a faithful servant of the club, he clearly loves the club... and when he ran over and hugged arsene wenger after smashing in the goal... a genuinely touching moment. what a player

Wholeheartedly agree with you, Andy. He typifies world class, nobility, humility, and pure & utter master class skill.

I love Kxevin.. if only every fan of every team was like him.

i have great respect for the way the guardiola spoke of the match and the way he assessd arsenal before and after, there really is a mutual appreciation and respect between two great footballing teams. I have to say that when watching the champions league and especially arsenal barca (it was the same last year) i have a feeling like no other game.. it is the feeling that we are playing on the greatest stage in world football ,against the best and most glamorous side, i feel nervous everytime they make a sweeping attack and over excited everytime we make a push forward and make a chance. it is something about the speed of the game and the way it is played so so welll, and also the magnitude of the occasion makes the whole match so rediculously epic. As for the golas... i cant actually watch this video enough times... i just keep watching it and everytime it sends shivers down my spine.. http://www.101greatgoals.com/v... ... and because it was arsha who has clearly been saving all his goals for the important games to come now, makes it even better.... I N C R E D I B L E

Hats off. We were outrun and outcoached today. Your side wanted it more, and played like it. Both sides created chances that were squandered, but you turned yours as you were supposed to. Not much more to say, except I'm glad that Wenger didn't start Arshavin, or things might have been worse for us.

As I noted a while back, you would have a chance if you did what the likes of Copenhagen did, but you'd also need some luck. You did it, and got it. We still have a second leg though, and you're not through yet. But enjoy the victory. It was well-earned.

BTW, we've asked for a great keeper, and I think we have an outstanding one in Szczesny... he has ambition and skill and he doesn't scare easily. I think he could be another Seaman.

and did you see the way he was screaming at celebrating one of the goals...love the pole!

Greetings from Bayern Munchen. I just came here to congratulate you guys on your success over Barcelona. I really admire Arsenal's mentality, you never gave up. Good luck on the second leg, I really hope you beat the living daylights out of Barcelona!!!

Thx man! Bayern my team in Germany!

One of the most critical points of the match was the superb prowess of Szcerny one on one with Messi, masterfully cutting all the angles so he had to really try hard and missed.
Aside from the obvious candidates Jack and Kos (Whom many fans have repeatedly bashed)
our Keeper was absolutely AMAZING ! So much confidence for such a young Goalie.
Thank you Arsenal.

A Hearty Congratulations from the Madridistas!

:) THX!!!

barca are the new arsenal-lite

My facebook is basically just a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the game, people must think I'm insane lol but I don't care, we finally showed our class

Out of the 3 players from our side who picked up yellows, none had carry overs from previous game right? Just making sure none of them miss the away leg due to suspension

Eboue was the only one on a yellow. I think he picked up a yellow today right? Pretty sure Sagna will be back though.

Song, Nasri and RvP picked yellows today. So we will have this squad and Sagna available for Nou Camp trip.

Today's game was for the fans, and it flew in the face of the downers (I guess you'll be back on the bandwagon now)! The real Arsenal fans though, the ones who recognize the greatness of the team, knew that this was our chance. Screw the rest of the premier league... our boys play against eleven men but more often than not we play against TWELVE when you count the ref, as was the case in this game, AND we win. Thats more than any of the hapless hacks at f*ckchester united or any other side can say.

What a great win... enjoy it fellas, what a glorious day.

im not sure the refs are against us... arshavin handball and messi was onside for that 'offside' header.. he was behind the ball when it was played. i know we get our fair share of shit decisions against us and if every decision is to go correctly then we are owed those 2 points we lost againt newcastle for the soft soft penalty and the non existent one.. but noone felt sorry for us then so lets just accept that its the way the game goes, no excuses! but the ref was if anything lenient towards us tonight, song should have been off for about 10 fouls on a yellow!

Hey I am a real Arsenal fan, I get angry, upset, I suffer, and as a fellow commenter here said thats part of being a real fan.
I guess every time we lose I will start screaming and wanting to kill them, and whenever we win I will love them again.
As structured as my life is, this is my non-structred passion and I follow the team with that..passion.
After all, I am always there even after those crushes all these years right?

Nope... Eboué did played poorly... I was concerned in the first half. Then, in the second half, he was more anonymous.

As you all mentioned, Wilshere played astonishingly well and considering his age, he will only become better. He literally initiated attack from deep midfield, something that Xavi and Fabregas normally do. Commentators were amazed, and surprisingly, he touched the ball more than Xavi and Iniesta!

And Kudos for Wenger... He changed the game with his offensives subs. When Song came off, I told myself that he was already booked, but it could be a big bet to play an all out offensive style agaisnt Barcelona, but they (Arsenal's players) proved me wrong.

What else can I say? Maybe that we stand more chance because Pique is out for the other leg. Nonetheless, we will be facing them in Camp Nou, so thing shall be difference...

WILSHERE had a GREAT game aswell!!!!!

Guardiola didn't make any excuses, just said they created lots of chances but couldn't score.

Very good game from Wojo. From Eboue too. Did anyone play poorly?

song, fabregas were quite poor

Song committed too many fouls in the first half, sure, but he broke up tons of plays and was ever-present on defence, getting in the way of so many passes. Fabregas didn't have a great game, but quite poor is probably overstating it. And he sent a few excellent passes upfield, notably the long one to Nasri to set up the second goal.

Wilshere had himself a game and a half fucking great play. Dare I say World Class???

WHY NOT? hes only played half a season at this level (plus the bolton loan spell) and looks this good.. how good will he be next season and the season after??? he played with fearlessness and confidence from being young and new to the top level, but there is also clearly pure class underneath all that, incredible player

He's like Jesus, with a football.

Chupa Barça!

can anyone give links to the goals?

Congrats. Dunno what happened with us during the 2nd half. Oh well...

See you at Camp Nou!

isn't Pique is suspended for the 2nd leg for picking up that yellow card?

Looking forward to it. I'm hopeful, but you guys are so strong there.

Wilshere had an excellent game.

That boy is just plain amazing

He is like Jesus with a football.

Ok, I'm calm, I'm calm now. What a day, I like this team, joy is dressed in red and white.

Congrats. Your boys played their hearts out. Deserved win. See you in the Camp Nou.

WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great game!!! Koscielny HAD A GREAT GAME in my opinion.... he wins player of the game. ARSENAL FOREVER!!!!!!

Ok, ok. I just loooooove when the Gunners shut me up like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just love Arsha more if possible and RvP can simply become my my my...I dont know what but he is just splendid, NOW I WANT TO SEE THE REPLAY, HURRYING HOME!

What did I tell you Gigi_man? ;) You and I deserve credit for our unyielding love for the magician, you're going to be ecstatic when you see his lovely first touch goal.

yeeesssss my friend!! I bet some more will want to join us now.

I will guarantee you the media and all of the naysayers will suddenly say something like "He's so gifted it was bound to happen, no one ever doubted him..." yada yada yada. But you and I know and have known, he simply has the magic and just needs to be utilized properly!

well i for one loved also the way he celebrated, you gotta see that he loves the shirt no?

beautiful goal by Arshavin and, an impossible goal from Van Persie!!! wowo, I really thought my hearth would stop... Arsenal are breath-taking

Congrats on the good win, Gunners! See you at the Camp Nou...

Oh my Goodness, I almost crashed on the road when I got the update on my phone, my heart is so tired!

WE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to ask (also because I'm afraid to look myself).........was the disallowed Messi goal legit?

Close. It was confusing to me.

Pedro I think was fractionally offside, just savor the moment Sairax these things come once only every few years!

Nah, Pedro was onside, and the linesman didn't raise his flag when Pedro go the ball, then did once the ball bounced to Messi.

Overall I think the referees did well tonight.

I think they were okay after some slight inconsistencies. But I didn't notice them in the second half, which is usually a good sign.

At least we've got the monkey off our backs now. We finally beat them.

yes ma'am, thats a nice monkey off I gotta say, whatever happens we finally did.

Yes, he was offside. Saw two different angles of it.

To any downer who questions why do we even follow Arsenal (myself, at times, included), THIS IS WHY!!

exactly... ARSENAL FO LYF

I CAN'T FEEL MY LEGS

Strike of the year by Van Persie! Hands down! And clinically done by Arshavin!

Arshavin, what a strike. He was so calm about it, too. Showing great composure, and showing the value in having senior internationals who aren't fazed by the pressure.

arshavin must have been saving his good shooting for the important games, he's missed enough chances in the last few months!! but seriously.. arshavin is one of those players who just raise their game for the big occaisions.. like gareth bale for tottenham, he thrives on the big games, the big european nights. it looks like wilshere is the same way!

Wow. I didn't think we had it in us after going down, but what a comeback. GO ARSENAL!!!!

So thats twice now that I've said Arshavin should be used as a sub, and twice now he's scored. Use him wisely and properly and he will pay you dividends. Andrei, and you are owed some respect by many...

agreed, i think he is the best joker we have as an impact sub, maybe leveled with Theo.

I don't care if he just plain sucks the rest of the season (ok, maybe a little), he has reearned my respect after tonight!!

Wow, very nice win. I still figure we're underdogs going forward, but I'll enjoy it for today for sure.

FT!!!! Arsenal win 2-1!!!

IT'S OVER.... ARSENAL HAVE WONNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

90 minutes. I am so nervous right now. Heart going like a jackhammer.

How many extra minutes? Just tell me!!

Arshavin is feeling this one man!!!!

Funny the GK comments pre-match - the GKs have been the difference today so far.

told ya!!! 3 teams: Manchester united, Arsenal and real madrid and people called me delisionnal???

3 teams what?

WOJO YOU THE MAN!!

GIGI -- Today we drink to celebrate our boy!

yesssss sirrrrr!!!! :))))))))

ok, 77th minute, one goal down at home, lets not even start speaking about a return leg, and focus in the not-depending-on-us league.
Lets enjoy Cesc while he still there (and others for that matter).
But frankly I dont know what is this, all the players sounded so confident, that even in my nerves they got me dreaming.
And then there was hope, but really, now, lost all.

I dont even know if to blame it on AW, but I am sure there is something related to psiquis attitude.

Arshavin from Nasri after good play from Wilshere and Cesc, I think, to set up the break.

ARHSA YOU BEATIFUL GOODDDDDDD

RVP I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

omg omg omg OMG OMG OMG!!!
MY BOY HAS DONE IT, MY BOY HAS DONE IT!!!!11

GOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!

Hasn't been mentioned but KOS has been a BEAST

ARSHAVINNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!1

That was an amazing shot by van Persie. Great pass by Clichy, brilliant shot squeezed in on Valdes' near post from an impossible angle.

Um. wow. Walking on water, for sure.

What a strike by RvP!

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!

Walcott off? He's the last one I'd take off.

Haha whats that again?

I stand by my comment. I'd have never taken him off and put Bendtner on.

Heh I fully agree with you man. I'm just messing around, just happy we got one :}

Jack has really been tremendous. Win or lose, that's a nice takeaway. Though obviously I'd prefer him being poor and a win.