Barcelona v. Arsenal Live!
This is why we all wade our ways through all of those interminable CL group stage matches with the likes of Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon. It's Barcelona v. Arsenal - two of the best club sides on the planet - squaring up at the Nou Camp this evening. The Arsenal are 2-1 up from the home leg but it's going to be an almighty battle of wits between Wenger and Pep Guardiola tonight. Come on, you Gunners!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 11:03 AM
153 Comments:
The team news is already in at the Nou Camp:
Arsenal Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Gibbs, Diaby, Wilshere, Rosicky, Fabregas, Nasri, Van Persie
Barcelona Valdes Dani Alves, Busquets, Abidal, Adriano; Mascherano; Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, David Villa, Messi.
Of course, more than a bit of my attention is going to be focused on Deepdale where my beloved Leeds boys will be taking on PNE. They did us over 5-4 in one of the shockers of the season at the Elland. I'll go for a simple, professional 0-2 away win for us today, ta very much. I'd also love some help from Hull against Burnley. Cheers.
The Guardian's Barney Ronay is highlighting five reasons to be cheerful for Arsenal fans this afternoon:
"1. Barcelona are under more pressure tonight. They just can't go out tonight. It doesn't fit with the grandiose narrative of their own modern myth. A goalless first half would change everything.
2. Barcelona looked tired in the second half at the Emirates. It's a straw to clutch at. Arsenal may have a physical edge in pace and stamina.
3. Van Persie is pretending to be fit. This is a big deal. Puyol and Pique are wonderful defenders. They aren't playing.
4 Er...
5 Er... Niclas Bendtner scored a hat-trick against Leyton Orient the other day."
Kick-off time!
Bugger - Burnley have drawn first blood at Hull. They're 0-1 up and have closed the gap with us to four points.
That doesn't sound good - the SS reporter claims that PNE have made a good start to the match. Not good at all.
Very cagey start at the Nou Camp so far. Arsenal will be happy with that. They've weathered the first almost ten minutes.
No real pattern to the play so far. I'm sure that that will suit Arsene Wenger to a tee.
Three players are defending every time a Barca attacker gets on the ball. Keeping their shape well.
Fifteen minutes gone now and it's still 0-0 at the Nou Camp. So far, so good.
Free kick opportunity for Barca here. Szcesny holds it well, but he's grimacing now as if he's injured a finger. The Arse doc is on the pitch giving him some treatment.
It looks like he's getting a plaster put on his pinky. That's a bit dodgy, isn't it?
Shakhtar have taken the lead.
Oh dear - Szcesny has had to come off. Almunia is replacing him.
That's not good either - Reading have taken the lead away to Ipswich. I'm not liking the late runs by all of these wannabe sides like Leicester, Reading and Burnley. We'll need a win today to put some distance between us and them.
Pedro seems to be the danger man for Barca. He's playing off the shoulder of Clichy. Still - 20 minutes in and still 0-0. Good stuff.
To be fair, Arsenal have shown absolutely no ambition going forward. They've barely strung three passes together. It's all Barca but mostly in non-lethal areas.
Norwich have scored against Leicester. On the balance of things, that's probably a good result for us.
That Norwich goal should jump them up to third and level on points with Swansea but four goals behind.
Bugger - "Preston edging it" according to the reporter. I don't like it at all.
Half way through the first half at the Nou Camp. 0-0. Nasri has just been absolutely clattered. It looks like Danny Alves was the culprit and he's having a bit of handbags with Wilshere.
Leicester have equalized at the Walker Stadium. It's Cheese and Onion time. 1-1.
Bugger - Swansea have taken the lead, increasing their position in second.
Roma have had a penalty saved against Shakhtar. Shakhtar lead 4-2 on aggregate in that tie.
David Villa tries a pop after Messi had been broken up. Dangerous stuff there.
YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neil Kilkenny with a long effort.
0-1!
It's only Neil's second goal of the season but a priceless one for us. We're currently the top scorers in the league. +11 GD.
I believe that as results stand, that jumps us up to fourth above Norwich and Forest. Wow! Loving it!
Great clearance there from Djourou. It's half an hour in and Arsenal are riding their luck.
Derby are 0-1 up at the Riverside against Boro.
Hey Bob
I am home between jobs. So far so good for the Dahgren boys
DO you have a Soccer Special Link?
The FSC coverage of the CL is really annoying. Martin Tyler's voice is about 2 seconds after the picture
found one
Good stop by Szcesny there.
Afternoon, Dave. I'm on this one for SS:
http://veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#4d72f74a451b2
And I'm on the Sky 2 link through My Premium for the Arse v. Barca match.
Didn't Szcesny go off injured? It is Almunia is on
Nailbiting stuff at the Nou Camp. Still, Arsenal are an incredible ten minutes away from half time here.
I am watching the exact same link for SS
Yeah - sorry, I keep on referring to him. Szcesny hurt his pinky finger and had to be replaced by Almunia, who hasn't had that much to do.
Free kick time for Barca again.
Has Arsene been on the phone to Tony Pulis this week for tips. Honestly, the Gunners look like Stoke City minus the towels this afternoon.
Clichy's getting close to a yellow card here.
So far we're picking up points on QPR, Cardiff, Norwich and Forest. Only Swansea are leading alongside us.
Roma are losing on Agg... missed a penalty and now down to ten men
It's all going wrong for Roma. They're 4-2 down on agg and now Philippe Mexes has been sent off.
Five minutes plus to play at the Nou Camp. Arsenal still hanging on but they've barely got out of their own half. They'll be absolutely knackered by 60 minutes in.
Every time I look around there is a Barca players writhing on the ground! Are they diving all over the place? Are the Arse being sorta dirty?
Arsene... what are you thinking
Bristol City have taken the lead against Pompey
Corner to the Gunners... cleared
Arsenal have been putting the boot in a bit more than usual. Honestly, they do look like Wolves or Stoke today. They're none of that trademark Wenger "total football." They might as well not have RVP on - he's done nowt!
RVP taking the corner - why?
There's no pretense of neutrality among the SS boys today - they're all Arsenal. Wilshere is down injured now.
Wilshire down hurt... Handbags.... How can Barca complain about a player on the ground... I have seen about 10 Barca's do this!
I can't stand players complaining for other teams doing the exact thing they do
A big ruck of players in a circle - what are they up to?
RVP in the book. He is losing his rag!
Forest take the lead at Bramall Lane
Bugger - Forest have taken the lead against the Blades. I suppose I can be consoled in that it's another nail in Sheffield United's coffin.
That's a silly yellow card to pick up - honestly!
Fabregas is trying to calm RVP down now after he's bowled over Danny Alves.
Bugger... My SS link has frozen
ooh, Messi hits the keeper from a good position
Leeds reach half time with the lead... fingers crossed
Very chippy in midfield - blow up, ref. There's no football being played out there.
BUGGER... MESSI scores!
Fabregas gave the ball away there. Backheel on the edge of his box. What was he thinking?!
Killer blow - I don't know how Arsenal claw their way back into this one now. They had no ambition at all in the first half.
Nice through... should have been cleared... Fabregas tried a backheal at the top of the box... Merson is not pleased with him!!
What the hell was Fab trying with back heal? Is he already on the the Barca books... that was awful
Charlie Nicholas says Arsenal can't play any worse.... They have to go forward.. they need a goal
A penalty at the Walkers.. for Norwich.. Holt scores
We're off again at the Nou Camp
From John via text: "Barcelona dominating and leading at the break, just like the first leg. And we know how that ended, Arsenal aren't out yet."
I have to correct Bob's second comment from this thread... he said that Leeds lost 4-5 to Preston at Elland Road... it was SIX- FOUR
Preston start the second half the better
Bob must be off at his class... I'll keep the home fires burning while you're out
Just one goal is needed by the Arse
Arsenal still creating nowt
Brighton miss a pen at Brentford. Still nil nil
I'm back temporarily. Happy to see that we're still 0-1 up but I'd like the padding of a second goal, please.
Nasri makes a nice run... corner
Sotton are two up against Yeovil
THEY SCORE!!!!!!!
ARSENAL SCORE A POWERFUL HEADER FROM THE CORNER
OWN GOAL!
WHAT A MINUTE FOR THE DAHLGREN BROTHERS... LEEDS HAVE SCORED A SECOND
Barca break straight down the middle but it is saved
GOAL! Unbelievable - Arsenal have scored at the Nou Camp. It's Diaby with a header from the corner.
1-1!
Charlie is celebrating. A bit of a howler from the Barca backfour. Is it an o.g. from Busquets?
Right now.. Barca are out... another goal would kill em
Fantastic - I was put off by the Arsenal goal there. It's 0-2 at Deepdale. YESSSSS!!!!!!!
Busquets with the bullet header for the OG
That was Billy Paynter's debut goal for Leeds by the way. What a time to score!
uh oh... RVP kicks the ball away.. a second yellow and is off!!
Norwich are 3-1 up
Charlie and Paul are completely concentrated on the Nou Camp. They don't care what is happening anywhere else.
Roma are two down... Italy are really struggling!
Roma are going out
Inter losing after first leg at home
AC losing after first leg at home
I had a feeling that that silly yellow would come back to haunt RVP. He's off! Kept going after the whistle and finished the chance and he's gone off for a second yellow. Arsene is going bonkers!
I can't stand all the other players asking for cards... book em
Desperate defending now from the Arsenal. Wow!
I know it is going to be backs to the wall now but it is just what Barca want you to do
Bugger! PNE have got one back just as the SS goes to break. 1-2. Come on!
Barca still needs two goals to go through
uh oh... Preston get a goal
QPR are losing to Millwall
A Hull City goal right about now would do the trick.
I wish RVP was banned for the weekend!
There's a goal at the New Den. It's Millwall beating QPR!
Barca's finishing has been pretty dire so far
Good save, Almunia!
I do feel this ref is going to be swayed by the crowd and the hosts
Bristol City score a second against the run of play against Pompey
Half an hour left for Arsenal to hang on to this improbably result.
Again... Barca need two!
Well, one goal would put them into extra time, right?
Sheff Utd.. miss a pen
The Blades have a penalty! Oh, bloody hell - it's been saved! Idiots!
And then they need another!!
Lucky that Messi didn't go down there
WHAT A SAVE BY ALMUNIA
I would love Barca getting knocked out!
Almunia is having a hell of a match!
Charlie and the Merse are both having cardiacs!
Classic by Charlie... "great decision"
BUGGER... Xavi knocks it in
Deflected shot. I think Almunia would have saved it.
GOAL! Xavi. Bloody hell - Arsenal got sliced apart.
This bloke keeps turning it over to see the goal
Still tied... One more goal and Arsenal go through
Level on aggregate now. A little over twenty minutes left.
Millwall are 2-0 up through a pen. QPR have had Danny Shittu sent off.
OH NO... PENALTY!!!
STUPID CHALLENGE
Messi... goal
Strange pen... Almunia was rooted... wasn't that great of a pen
COME ON ARSENAL
Shef Utd do tie it up against Forest
QPR are two down
Watford have tied it up against the Swans
NOw David Villa writhing on the ground... just like Wilshire
Must be into the last ten minutes at Deepdale... hold on Leeds
Arsenal look clueless going forward
Sheff Utd have take the lead against Forest... That will make Bob happy
One more check before I head down to class. Arsenal look up against it. Come on, you Gunners!
Leeds are still edging it 1-2. Hang on, you Whites!
And Forest are behind now!
Penalty at Sellhurst Park...for Cardiff... MISSED!!
Take care Bob
I would to shut this crowd up with a last minute goal by the visitors
They are going to the game at Deepdale...hope nothing happened
I meant to say I would LOVE to shut this crowd up
Nothing has happened at Preston
A second goal at Ipswich... Reading are two up.. Ian Harte again.. classic free kick
Palace gets the ball in the net.. but called back for off side
Doncaster 1 Coventry 1
Great save again by Almunia..... Barca again try to pass it in
Shots on goal
Barca 17 Arsenal NOTHING
Shakhtar go three up
5 minutes for Barca to score another for the Arse
Boro take the lead against Derby
Reading are three up at Portman Road
oh,... Bendtner should have scored!!
Terrible first touch!!
The subbing has started to waste time for the hosts
Swansea have drawn with Watford
Bendtner is a muppet
Plymouth have won again.... after their 10 point deduction
4 minutes are up at Deepdale... and 5000 away fans cheer... game over
UP TO SIXTY POINTS
Burnley have won at Hull
Leicester get a late goal but still 2-3 down to Norwich
It's over
Ipswich get a late goal but it is over
Millwall have beaten QPR 2-0
2 added minutes to go at NC
Arsenal don't seem interested getting the ball up the field!!
Palace take the lead against Cardiff
Shakhtar win 3-0.... 6-2 on agg
Stupid late foul by Wilshire
It's all over... Barca are through... not very impressive by the Arsenal... did not seem interested going forward
Merson says Barca are miles better team
All the games in the Championship are over except for Palace vs Cardiff.
QPR lose
Swasnsea draw
Norwich win
Forest lose
Leeds win
Burnley win
Hull lose
Leicester lose
A good night for Bob...not for Steve
Stat of the night
Shots
Barca 10 Arsenal 0
Attempts
Barca 19 Arsenal 0
Arsene has apparently had a huge bust up with the ref in the tunnel
The decision was rough and it could have made a difference but how about getting a shot toward the net ARSENE!!
Jamie Redknapp says it is the most one sided game he has ever seen... why? Arsenal are better than that!
Palace have beaten Cardiff
Congrats Bob
Sorry Steve
Off to class
TTFN
UWS
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