re: Arsenal vs Barcelona Wed 2:45 PM ET

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Dude we all were.

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On the biggest stage he has ever played in. Even the Barca fans at Finn's were in awe.

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I think our D is better than Barca's so if we can restrict them to just 1 goal, I am sure we can outscore them..

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Booommm!!!!!!

Kos played exceedingly well, so did the keeper. And no need to mention Wilshere.

Nasri for the first 30 really troubled me since he refused to track back and close down Alves, but he was pushing forward tremendously.

The only one I was disappointed in was Djourou(well RVP before the goal). I know many of you will disagree, but he got caught going forward too often, and had trouble staying with the attacker. I know he was up against Villa and Messi, but he had been playing pretty well as of late.

And Eboue was garbage, runs forward freeing up Walcott or not. He could hardly maintain possession, and his distribution was horrid. He looked to dive and fall down each time he gained the ball. Sagna will be a huge upgrade all around, attack and defense.

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Ha, after watching what Barca did to them at the Nou Camp last year I'll hold off

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We got whooped, but that game gets too much emphasis. Arsenal is going to have 7 different starters from that game of which 6 are clear upgrades.

Having said that, we were incredibly lucky to only give up 1 goal today.

I'm really hoping Puyol has a setback, or he isn't up to par. Barca minus Puyol and Pique would be amazing. I think that lack of confidence in the backline against the pace of Arsenal's counter attack would shake up their offensive strategy. Barca was playing very high today, I'd love to see them sit back a little more like how they were after the Villa substitution.

The second leg should be fun. I feel like Wenger will find some way to use Walcott more effectively at the Camp Nou. Barca is very vulnerable to pace, but we didn't get Theo the ball in enough good situations where he could use his pace.

Song hasn't gotten enough credit in this thread. Yeah he got a yellow early on, but he was putting out fires in the midfield and working his arse off to keep busquets in check (which he did imho). He played well.

Wilshere and Cesc (if he doesn't leave for red and blue pastures) could be a special duo for years.

Chezzers was great between the sticks. It's nice to see a defense play confidently when they know their keeper isn't a fricking goon that's all thumbs and no feet.

RVP played alright. His goal was great, but i often think he lashes at the ball, rather than strikes it. He just tries to smash frozen ropes...but hell, it went in.

I thought Nasri pissed away that opportunity, then he plays a great ball to Arshavin who puts it away as cool as the other side of the pillow...so nice.



Taking off my Arsenal glasses....this game was about as good as it gets. There were tekkers for days. This game should be required viewing if you want to learn what soccer should look like (except the flopping...I'm looking at you Dani Alves).

It's not only that, but he has a case of the typical african footballer. They are god awful at diving. It's pathetic, they need to learn from the Italians on how to make others believe there was contact.

Admittedly, I haven't gone through the whole thread, but did Szczensy get any love for his distribution? He looked so much better in that area today whereas Valdes had some struggles.