Barcelona vs Arsenal Live at the Camp Nou - 20:45 PM Local Time - 14:45 EST
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Last week millions of fans all over the world witnessed one of the most entertaining matches of the year. It took place at the Emirates Stadium in London where the Kings of World Football FC Barcelona visited the Princes of Football Arsenal in the first leg of the quarter-final pairing in the UEFA Champions League.
It was branded as a clash of the 2 most entertaining sides of football on the planet. After 45 minutes the fans were left with some harsh reactions. Barcelona fans were left salivating yet frustrated, Arsenal fans were left in fear and astonishment. Neutral fans were left mesmerized and in awe as one could not deny the superiority of the Catalan side. The first half display could only be described as a manhandling of the not-so-English London side. Two stats will tell the tale of the first half: 0-0 scoreline. Possession 75% Barcelona to 25% Arsenal.
That game was turned on it´s head in the 2nd half as Barcelona took a quick 2 goal lead thanks to Ibrahimavic only for the Barcelona coach Guardiola to see a desperate Arsenal side claw back two late goals through the pacy Walcott and the fabulous hopping Fabergas.
Watch Barcelona vs Arsenal Live - Champions League Quarter-Finals
In the end it was a 2-2 result which is favorable to Barcelona as away goals matter much more in this competition. If Barcelona score first in Camp Nou, Arsenal will need to score at least two goals to survive. But in football, anything can happen, and as Wenger will convey to his boys this night will start with a clean slate. Forget everything!
Two weakened sides?
Both teams lost players through discipline and injury in this 1st leg. The most obvious loss was that of Arsenal's Fabulous Fabergas with a serious leg injury (broken leg). Arsenal also lost one of it´s most dangerous and creative players through an early first half injury of Arshavin. Midfielder Alex Song will also be out due to a groin injury, as well as William Gallas who may be replaced by the comeback veteran Sol Campbell.
Barcelona have also lost the services of Carlos Puyol due to a straight red as well as Gerard Pique for accumulation of yellows. More importantly, the goal scorer of the first leg Ibrahimavic will also be missing due to an awkward injury he suffered during the weekend match warmup. But Barcelona have a lot of extra firepower and horsepower under their hood to impose their brilliant and attacking football this evening at the Camp Nou.
The key for an Arsenal win may lay in the effectiveness of Arsenal´s defensive fortitude and their ability to produce an effective counter attack. Theo Walcott was immense and the reason Arsenal are still alive in this quarter-final. The tricky Nasri will have to be at his best from a creative standpoint and the imposing Bendtner must not waste any chances.
The Camp Nou will bring 90,000 fans and will contribute to Barcelona´s confidence. Barcelona will play their game. Fluid, attacking, ping-pong like brilliant beautiful football. Possession will be key. Messi and Xavi will link up to penetrate the box, but with so many other attack minded players, it will be hard to expect any other result than a Barcelona win.
The World awaits a glamourous evening of attacking and entertaining football as the two most entertaining football clubs fight for survival in the 2010 UEFA Champions League Quarter Final.
