Arsenal 2 – 2 Barcelona: Spirit Keeps Hope Alive

I don’t know what to feel right now. Should I be happy we are still in the tie? Was the late rally a sign of endurance and mental strength that will see us through tough times in the future? I am trying to be positive about this game but it’s tough.

The first half performance was depressing. The Arsenal players were scared of playing football and let Barcelona run all over them. Undeniably, the visitors had a brilliant start to the game but we were so impotent it made me sick.

I’ve talked about our defensive problems ad nauseam. Unlike the vast majority, I’ve always maintained we struggle because of a lack or organization and defensive awareness. It’s not an individual problem and will not go away by signing one or two players. I’ll delve into this again in the coming days but right now let me just focus on the events of the game.

In the first twenty minutes it was Almunia vs Barcelona and the much maligned keeper came out on top. We could easily have gone three down in that period and it would have crushed us mentally. This game could have been an embarrassment and even our premier league challenge could have suffered.

There were two simple problems. One, we gave them too much room to play. Two, we didn’t have any outlet to get out of our half.

Barcelona gave a masterclass in possession football. We really need to study the way they won the ball back. Every single player was alert at all times and their pressing was phenomenal. The Catalans were really good even by their lofty standards.

In contrast, Arsenal players always backed away at the wrong time and gave their midfield plenty of time on the ball. If this had been an exhibition match they could have played for ninety minutes without us getting a touch.

Our pressing had no cohesion. One player went to close down the man on the ball but no one closed down the simple options available to that man. On the other hand, Arsenal players hardly found a team-mate in space.

Even in the past I’ve said our players switch off too often especially when put under pressure in defence. Nobody wants to take charge and bring the ball out. If someone does try that, there’s hardly any off the ball movement that would allow the man on the ball to pick a pass. Inevitably, we end up hoofing it forward and it comes back in seconds.

Arshavin looked clueless in defence and hardly got a chance to attack. What’s the point of playing someone like him if he is going to spend the bulk of the time in the defensive third! We should have asked him to stay near the halfway line and used his pace to get out. Sadly, he didn’t last very long anyway and the arrival of Eboue did help us defensively.

Bendtner was too isolated but he should have worked the channels better. At least that would have given us some way of getting out of our half. This game did show that a big strong striker cannot hold the ball just because he is big and strong. Technique, co-ordination and awareness are far more important than physical attributes.

The injury to Gallas was a body blow. Playing Gallas was a poor gamble and shows it was a mistake to sign Campbell and no one else as a back up in that position.

As the first half came to an end I was feeling somewhat confident that we can turn this around. Arsene will say something,surely! All hopes were quashed within seconds of the restart. Once again, Pique was allowed too much time on the ball and no one picked the run of Ibrahimovic.

Too many people will pick on Almunia for coming out. Trust me it’s easy to say that in hindsight. When you are a keeper behind such a clueless defence, it’s an impossible decision to make. Vermalen and Song are amongst our best players but there was no communication between them at all. How can the Swede get acres of space in our box from such a simple punt over the top is beyond me. Really schoolboy stuff from our central defenders.

The second goal was almost a carbon copy. This time Almunia stayed back and Ibrahimovic still managed to score. That only shows how difficult the keeper’s life gets when the defenders sell him out so cheaply. If you give a guy with Ibrahimovic’s quality that amount of space in the box he will murder you no matter where the keeper is.

In spite of the two goals, the start to the second half was not as bad as the first. Barcelona didn’t push forward as much and we got a chance to put some passes together. This was evident from the 71% possession Barca had in the first half while they managed only 60% in second.

Two substitutions were forced and Arsene brought on Walcott with the last roll of the dice. The youngster’s speed had an immediate impact. Arsenal were pushing forward after conceding two and Walcott gave us a direct threat. Barcelona didn’t have a clue about dealing with him.

In the build up to the game I’d claimed that Barcelona have a poor defence and it was evident from the way they struggled once we pushed forward in numbers. We didn’t create too many clear chances but did enough to draw the game. If Cesc hadn’t picked up the injury we might actually have won this tie.

Victor Valdes had a big hand in our first goal when he let Theo’s shot go under him. I’ve always maintained the Barca keeper is a perfect example of a team winning championships with a dodgy keeper.

The second goal came from a freakish penalty. I’m not sure if it was a foul by Puyol. Somehow Fabregas’ leg got caught in between his but the camera angles didn’t cover it. You have to give Bendtner a lot of credit for that header which set Cesc free. The young Dane showed great control and awareness when most people would have directed a tame header towards goal.

The most important lesson from the final twenty minutes was that Barcelona can be pushed back and their weak defence can be exposed if Arsenal get their act right. Doing this at home is one thing and achieving it at the Camp Nou is a completely different ball game. We will see in a week’s time, won’t we!?

Individual Performances

Almunia: Brilliant. My man of the match. I don’t blame him for either of the goals we conceded even though he did make a mistake for the first one.

Sagna: Was poor in possession. Fought hard defensively. Needs to contribute more when going forward and when we need to keep the ball.

Gallas: Should never have started. Was caught out a few times with the movement of the Barca attackers.

Vermaelen: Fought hard, did a decent job on Messi and Ibrahimovic. Lack of communication and understanding with Song cost us two goals.

Clichy: Brilliant. Showed us exactly why we loved him so much in the 07-08 season. Sagna can learn from his tenacity.

Song: Was a little too physical when playing in midfield. Needed more support from Cesc and Diaby. Caught out for both the goals. Was too deep and away from the striker. He is not a centre back, at least not right now. It’s a shame that we have to play him there.

Cesc: Barca didn’t give him any space on the ball at all. Still did a good job, especially in the second half. Really worried about his injury.

Diaby: Easily the worst player on the night. His touch was poor, awareness nonexistent and passing woeful. Looked like he didn’t belong and I think it’s a mental problem because he is a much better player than what we saw on the pitch.

Arshavin: didn’t have an impact in attack. Hardly expect him to contribute in defence. Let’s hope the injury is not serious. We need better tactics to use his talents in such games.

Bendtner: Did well, especially in the second half, with limited chances. His touch was better than expected and got us out of tight spots in our own half. Should have scored when he headed it close to Valdes.

Nasri: Another one who can hold his head high. Worked his socks off and helped in attack and defence. Came close to scoring and set up some chances.

Subs: Eboue was efficient, Denilson was brilliant and showed the intelligence necessary to counter Barcelona’s passing, Walcott was effective and looked menacing at times.