Written by Mean Lean on Wednesday, 09 March 2011 11:14

Barcelona were the better side on the night, they created the chances and deserved their goals. Our attacking play did not represent the quality we had on the pitch and over the two legs Barcelona deserve to be in the next round of the Champions League.

I should not be writing this absolutely filled with rage.

At 1-1 the pendulum had swung back in Arsenal's favour. As soon as Sergio Busquets headed into his own net following an inswinging corner the game had changed. Arsenal had been given a mental lift and Barcelona would have been concerned about being exposed on the break.

I tell you this. If the game was at 1-0 to Barcelona and Van Persie had shot after the flag was raised then he would have not been sent off. With the advantage in Barcelona's favour the referee would feel absolutely no need to dismiss our center forward.

The referee made his intentions crystal clear when he swiftly pulled out the yellow card for Koscielny and kept his yards firmly in his pockets when Alves scissor tackled Samir Nasri.

Even with 11 players on the pitch Barcelona could have wrestled back the advantage and won the game fair and square but we will never know.

We were having plenty of trouble finding an outlet when Van Persie was on the pitch so when he was atrociously red carded our task was made almost impossible.

One selection I disagreed with was the inclusion of Tomas Rosicky who didn't do an awful lot wrong but he was not an outlet for the team. Without the pace of Walcott we could have done with a player like Emmanuel Eboue who could have raced onto slipped passes down the side of Adriano.

We needed someone who could run, someone to relieve us of the constant pressure that was being put on our defence. Whilst I was a minority voice pre match, I think Denilson would have given us more options in keeping the ball. Keeping possession is his strength and when the opposition have so much of the ball then you need to keep it on the few occasions that you do get it back.

Those changes may have made absolutely no difference and it is easy to argue anything you like in hindsight but watching the game I strongly felt that different personnel may have made some positive difference.

We rarely got out of Barcelona's intense pressing and it meant that the ball and pressure kept coming back to our defence. Johan Djourou was immense on the night and almost single handedly kept Barcelona out at times with last ditch tackles, Koscielny was also fantastic on the night.

Our defending on the night reminded me of Birmingham City's defending in the Carling Cup final. Cesc, Wilshere and Diaby moved together in a trio as a shield for the defence and it worked very well until Cesc Fabregas' ridiculous back heal just outside our penalty box just before half time. I was crossing my fingers that we could reach half time goalless, we might have been able to build on that but someone as experienced as Cesc should have known better.

Iniesta read his intentions, his feet and dinked pass into Messi was top class. Messi's flick over substitute Manuel Almunia was what you expect from the best player on the planet and the finish was then easy.

After the card it was a case of Barcelona attack against Arsenal defence, Manuel Almunia deserves a huge amount of credit for some stunning saves time and time again.

Barcelona's second goal was well worked and Xavi found himself in the box, his shot deflecting off the unlucky Bacary Sagna and into the net.

I cannot remember a time watching the game where I felt so incredibly cheated and angry, believe me I have felt that pretty often over the last few years. I found it difficult to focus on the game with so many expletives following out of my mouth at the referee and the people above him.

If Lionel Messi shoots at Almunia after the flag has been raised then absolutely nothing happens. The play continues, not one single person in this universe would be able to convince me otherwise. I do not believe that it was the intimidation of the crowd and I do not believe that it was an honest mistake. Van Persie shot at goal one second after the referee blew the whistle. He did not blast it into the crowd, he did not chip it over the bar to waste time.

Our everyday life is corrupt, money often comes before lives so why should football be any different?

Remember back to when Chelsea got mugged far worse than we did against the same opposition at Stamford Bridge. Some of those decisions on that night were beyond baffling and now it makes plenty of sence.

Barcelona are the team that people want to watch, Barcelona are the team that generate the cash.

Three minutes after Xavi's goal Barcelona scored the goal that gave them back the advantage that everyone in the world apart from Arsenal fans wanted. Laurent Koscielny's outstretched leg caught Pedro and the referee unsurprisingly got his decision correct as it was the home side who gained the advantage.

Messi rolled the ball past the wonderful Almunia and into the corner of the net. Arshavin came on for Rosicky but I felt he was playing too deep on the right to make any real impact. He needs to be around the penalty area with players ahead of him to make a difference.

Cesc Fabregas was replaced on 76 minutes for Nicklas Bendtner and it will be a game to forget for our captain. Luckily he is not Diaby or Denilson so his misjudgment will be forgotten about and he will be rightfully supported as each and every member of our squad should. Barcelona stifled him in both games and I am sure he will be upset with that.

With four minutes to go we could have scored the decisive second goal which would have seen us go through. Jack Wilshere who once again stepped up on such a big stage, drove forward and flicked to Bendtner who was in a great central position, his first touch went away from him which allowed Mascherano to get back and disrupt his stride, Valdes came out and smothered the ball.

Bendtner needed one sure first touch and then an early slot into the corner. It is hard to imagine Van Persie not bringing Wilshere's pass under his spell but it would be unlikely that Van Persie would have still been on at that stage after just returning back from injury.

From then on Barcelona kept the ball and Arsenal who had 35 minutes chasing around the ball with 10 men were exhausted. Barcelona go through to the next round.

Conclusion

Barcelona were the better team on the night, they pushed us hard and peppered our goal but Arsenal were not allowed the smash and grab result. When Arsenal gained the advantage the referee jumped in and gave the best team in the world a helping hand. Why do Barcelona need a helping hand at home?

It was a difficult game for so many players but I am proud of them all. Not being able to play your game under such intense pressure is a difficult task for any side.

Johan Djourou, Laurent Koscielny, Gael Clichy, Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri did themselves proud and if one or two more managed to reach their levels then we may just have done it.

11 vs 11 against Barcelona at the Camp Nou is the hardest job in football. 12 vs 10 is impossible.

I do not believe that it will be the last decision to go against us this season so we need to make sure we are at our best at least in terms of effort in every single game from now on. We cannot afford to conserve energy, now we have to put ourselves in the best possible position so that decisions do not make such an impact. Easier said than done of course, but if we want to win trophies this season then that must be our aim.

I didn't think I could love the Arsenal anymore than I already do, but nights like that make my connection to this wonderful club even stronger.

Szczesny (7)
Sagna (6)
Djourou (8)
Koscielny (7.5)
Clichy (7)
Diaby (4.5)
Wilshere (7.5)
Cesc (4.5)
Rosicky (5)
Van Persie (6)
Nasri (7)

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Comments (46)

• 09-Mar-2011 11:45 | | Adam  - Wengers fault if anyones...
  

  Van Persie spent the first half not being utilised at all, I think he carried no threat and made no impact anyway. Poor Wenger tactics this time I say.

• 09-Mar-2011 11:52 | | Steve  - Not all Barca's way
  

  Lets clear a few thing up.
  
  The second yellow was harsh but Van Persie should not have been on the pitch at that point after delibrately raising his hands on an opponents face.
  
  Barca should also have had a pen in the first half.
  
  They also had a goal wrongly disallowed in the first leg.
  
  In the end, the decisions were more in Arsenal's favour. You got beaten by a much better side. You feel hard done by in the same manner as a league 2 side in the FA cup against a top isde. Fact is that you are clutching at straws because you did nothing in the game to deserve to win.

• 09-Mar-2011 11:54 | | Steve  - Ratings
  

  Your ratings are also a sad indicator of just how far off Arsenal are from Barca that you're handing out 7's and 8's a team who did not muster a single shot on goal all game. Appalling.

• 09-Mar-2011 11:54 | | Andrew Wong  - Referee
  

  I believe it's about time referees ,epl/cl, be made accountable. I don't know whether the authorities have a code to deal with errant referees. I believe there must be but it is not made public.
  I feel these guys are getting away with murder every week. There is no consistency in the refereeing standards. What may not constitute bookable offence is deemed yellow or even red.
  So you see there is a wide gulf and it's about time the football authorities put their foot down as football is a high stake sport.
  Btw don't be surprised if some refs are on the take.

• 09-Mar-2011 11:56 | | A Gooner among others
  

  I am proud of the boys. Our defending was heroic.
  Now, let's go and win the double !

• 09-Mar-2011 12:03 | | Wolfgang  - UEFA
  

  The latest is RVP and Wenger could be facing UEFA punishment for daring to question the refs' decsions..
  I remember the Norwegian ref in 2009 when Chelsea played barca was another controversial one.
  Whatever happened to him?
  UEFA should make sure the refs they choose to handle the cl matches aere of the highest quality and integrity.If there is consistent refereeing ,there will be no complaints from the aggrieved parties.
  Otherwise these refs will be given the role of who wins games instead of the footballers.

• 09-Mar-2011 12:08 | | GunnerPete  - sad fact...refs are bought!
  

  First Steve...the high ratings relate the great defensive work that was undone by a bent official. Like Dowd & others in UK, his decisions were too obvious to be a coincedence.
  
  AFC were beaten by a great side but at 1-1 and Barca looking shocked, with a full eleven the game was in the balance ,but like ManU they knew the officials would help.
  
  If AFC defend like this at OT they will win....but will the ref allow it?

• 09-Mar-2011 12:17 | | Danish Gooner  - Wenger Out !!!
  

  The ref was crap but unlike the the Sunderland game where we were robbed of the victory last night we created our own downfall by playing some of the useless players like Rosicky and Diaby

• 09-Mar-2011 12:17 | | Wolfgang 88  - Swiss ref
  

  I hope that the decision to send off Persie will be studied in detail .If it is found the the ref was wrong,I hope he doesn't get to officiate another cl match or matches run by UEFA.

• 09-Mar-2011 12:18 | | MeanLean
  

  Let me also clear a few things up.
  
  If you are suggesting that Robin should have been dismissed then Eric Abidal should have also gone for grabbing RVP by the throat.
  
  The Messi goal in the first leg was in fact the correct decision.
  
  You will not catch any Arsenal fans including myself who doesn't think that Barcelona were the better side but as we have found out ourselves on a number of occasions the better side does not always win.
  
  In the CC final we were below our usual level yet we had more of the ball, more shots, more shots on target and were the better team yet we lost.
  
  The point is that we defended very well with 11 men and managed to score a key away goal. With 11 players we do not know how the game would have gone.
  
  Out of interest Steve, who is it that you actually support?

• 09-Mar-2011 12:20 | | MeanLean
  

  If you look a little closer you will see that the higher ratings are for the defenders who managed to keep the best team in the world out for a long stretch of the game.
  
  Maybe you need to take off your anti Arsenal glasses and look a little closer.

• 09-Mar-2011 12:22 | | MeanLean
  

  Danish Gooner out, and lets find supporters who actually like the club.

• 09-Mar-2011 12:23 | | MeanLean
  

  It will never happen. It will just get swept under the carpet as usual. Not a thing will be done. Part of his job is to hand Barcelona the advantage.
  
  I can't believe I haven't calmed down over this.

• 09-Mar-2011 12:24 | | Iskandar  - UEFA
  

  The latest is UEFA will study the report by the match delegate at the game. Frankly can you guarantee the delegate will be
  impartial in his report?
  I believe the old boy's network will be around to help the Swiss referee.
  UEFA should analyse matches generating controversy. It would not surprise me if the refs from the weaker leagues are the ones who make the most blunders.

• 09-Mar-2011 12:24 | | MeanLean
  

  Agree with you 100%

• 09-Mar-2011 12:25 | | Pablo  - Yes, indded, let's clear a few things up.
  

  Deserve to win? Barca will generally always out possess you. If possession is the measure, then Inter should not have won either of the games last year against them.
  
  The so-called disallowed goal in the first leg was not for Messi, but for Pedro, who the ball came off and was in an offside position when it rebounded to Messi. Which penality? Abdial should have been sent off for holding van Persie by the neck
  
  Yes, they had most of the possession, but for their so-called greatness, over two legs, Barca beat Arsenal by one goal. They will not win the Champions league, unless they get another referee like that. Yes, they are a good team, but they need help, and they got it last night.

• 09-Mar-2011 12:27 | | MeanLean
  

  They certainly did get it.

• 09-Mar-2011 12:32 | | brian
  

  We were never going to beat Barcelona because they are so much better than us.Wenger knew how difficult it was going to be and knew that the only teams that beat Barcelona set up defensively against them.
  Staying in touch for a long time would have got them frustrated and we might even have done them on the break with eleven on the pitch with a fresh Arshavin coming on for the last 20 minutes or so when they tired.The sending off clearly meant that was unlikely but signs that it might have worked were there to be seen with the glaring lack of control by Bendtner who I think has got away quite lightly in the various reports and blogs.Almost the perfect smash and grab if we had somebody with a bit more skill and composure that that idiot who can score a hat trick against Orient but failed dismally when it really mattered.

• 09-Mar-2011 13:03 | | Pablo
  

  Yes, I haven't calmed down about this either I couldn't sleep. Believe it or not, I watched the game in Argentina, Messi-land, where my wife is from. Half- the football-jersy youth wear Barca shirts. People here were bemused and confused, and unlike Steve, for all their bias and passion about their home boy, they thought the Gunners were robbed. Like me, because I was both aghast and furious. No, I have never seen a call like that, and certainly nothing like that in a game of this magnitude-- Arsenal's best striker is sent off for something that happens so often in big games--a player not hearing a whistle blow. Barca looked rattled after that own goal. For all of their possession, it was coming to naught; many of their players were looking rattled (although overall he did have a good game, Messi does what he does when his team are behind-- he hogs the ball too much), but most importantly in a game that was nicely poised, there no longer was a contest. The referee really blew it. With ten men, perhaps the inspired Inter of last year, who are set up to defend, could have done it, but few other teams could have survived. For the record, I also thought the penalty was soft, as I thought Koscielny got the ball, and Pedro tumbled over the trailing leg, but it didn't matter, Barca were going to win by then.
  Cesc had one of those games; it happens, but generally, with the exception of the ineffective Rosicky (he looks, like me, tired and old rather than experienced, and his responses are too slow; and Diaby, who holds onto the ball too long (perhaps that was supposed to be the idea, but it didn't work-- the team were generally immense. Had they won, however, no one would have complained, and I am not either, just about that idiot referee. They need our support more than ever.

• 09-Mar-2011 13:10 | | jabberwocky
  

  booo bendtner!!! diaby is rubbish!!! i hate rosicky!!!! i spend my entire time supporting arsenal criticising our own players!!!
  
  so effing sick of these fans. it is rare that the written word can incite me to physical violence but danish gooner - who i've seen on several blogs today spouting the same sh*t would get a bloody hiding if he wasn't hiding behind his laptop at his mums house.
  
  agree with you ML - i cant remember being this worked up after a match for so long, i'm usually quite good at chilling out and moving on but all i want to do is do a michael douglas and trash everything in sight!

• 09-Mar-2011 13:32 | | Man United Killa  - to some extend
  

  Steve,
  I dont know if you are a Barca fan but as a long long time Arsenal fan,I agree with you-to some extend.I dont think the referee was in Arsenal's favor like you concluded though he let RVP's slap and the first half penalty slide.In the end,I think he was more for Barca but that is no excuse.
  I must say that we tried hard, but the team is not good enough.As long as we persist with players like Diaby,Rosicky,Bendtner,Denilson and the rest,we wont even win a plastic cup.
  On the night, the better team won and we must stop complaining.We dug our own grave.We need signings.Players who can produce the magic.Game changers and game winners.As long as we dont sign.This disappointment will always be a part of our season.
  Nonetheless, we fought hard but we just were not good enough.Thumbs up to Nasri,Aluminium,Wilshere,Djourou and Kos.
  RVP was a disappointment....As one of the senior top players,he should have known better than bring his indiscipline to fore...what a shame!!

• 09-Mar-2011 13:39 | | Man United Killa  - why?
  

  ML, why did you give RVP a 6? I love RVP after Nasri but he does not deserve a 6.A five will do the trick.As a senior player, who is one of our better players he must know that there is a reason why we were so desperate to have him on the field.
  So showing a lack of discipline and eventually getting off defeats the purpose of trying our hardest to get him back.There are no excuses.He should have kept his cool.If he hadnt gotten that first stupid yellow,he would have still been on the field.WE NEEDED HIM MORE THAN EVER!!!

• 09-Mar-2011 13:42 | | Man United Killa  - You wish..jus like me!
  

  Double???You wish...Just like me.You dont win a double with a team like this.We lack about 3 or 4 quality players.Denilson,Diaby,Rosicky,bendtner wont cut it.Forget about the title or any cup for that matter for now..Aint gonna happen.
  
  That said,I agree with you about our defending.I think it was wonderful.Wilshere,Nasri,Djourou,Kos,Sagna impressed me very much and Oh Aluminium..But the team aint there yet

• 09-Mar-2011 13:45 | | Man United Killa  - hmmm..Jokers
  

  UEFA is a joke.They can cheat for supposed Best teams in the world but Nothing lasts forever.
  
  That is not to say,we did enough to win the game.WE didnt

• 09-Mar-2011 13:46 | | Man United Killa
  

  It's a shame.Isnt it.Poor Arsenal.

• 09-Mar-2011 13:51 | | Man United Killa  - ok...but
  

  Danish Gooner...who did you expect us to play.That is all we got.I am sure you know the players gave their best--the problem is that,they just arent good enough.Rosicky is past his best.Diaby,Bendtner are average players at best.Not the Arsenal caliber...so at this point,we have to stick with our club and hope and pray that we make some key signings.Until that day comes,we gotta wait..of course and get disappointed every season by a bunch of average players and a manager who does not see we are only about 4 quality signings from world beaters.
  Through thick and think...Gunner 4 life!

• 09-Mar-2011 13:52 | | Man United Killa  - Calm Down!!
  

  ML...I have to say we are in the same boat.I am still very angry..and still trying me best to calm down.I couldnt sleep last night.

• 09-Mar-2011 13:54 | | Man United Killa  - UEFA can go to HELL
  

  UEFA cant make our unmake Arsenal.No matter what they do they cant bring us down...PUNKS!!

• 09-Mar-2011 14:03 | | Man United Killa  - yep...Bendtner for you
  

  I always say Bendtner is crappy....he is no where near ARsenal quality and as long as Wenger persists with average players like him,we can say goodbye to the league season in season out.

• 09-Mar-2011 14:21 | | alf15
  

  ML - Fabregas was so poor you didnt even bother giving him a rating lol??
  
  Fair play to Djourou and Jack Wilshere they both played with great heart and gave 110%! The rest of the players just stood watching Barca! And that just not acceptable!

• 09-Mar-2011 14:23 | | alf15
  

  Woops you have him under Cesc lol

• 09-Mar-2011 14:29 | | Wenger Boy
  

  Fully agree ML. It's nights like this which bring us closer to the team than ever before. I'm still so proud of AFC.

• 09-Mar-2011 14:34 | | Man United Killa
  

  I think Nasri and Koscielny did well too

• 09-Mar-2011 14:35 | | Man United Killa
  

  Proud of what???

• 09-Mar-2011 14:45 | | Wenger Boy
  

  Proud of our reaction to the injustice, proud of our commitment to the cause, proud of our spirit, proud of the fact we only lost the tie by one goal when we were down to ten men and proud that when we had an even playing field we beat the best team in the entire world 2-1.
  
  There is much to be proud of, even in defeat.

• 09-Mar-2011 15:16 | | Aman
  

  "Barcelona are the team that people want to watch, Barcelona are the team that generate the cash. "
  
  What a classic dialogue.. love ya

• 09-Mar-2011 15:42 | | Man United Killa  - proud
  

  Very well.true...but I am sure not proud of our back up!

• 09-Mar-2011 18:49 | | richie  - Muky Predudice
  

  Muk Wake up! Your showing yourself up with your illogical anti- Denilson crap. The man didn't even play yet you bring up his name in the post Barca match blog. Did you post anti Denilson last year on the post Arsenal-Barca blog when he was probably our most important player? Many will argue not intirely wrongly we missed the little Brazilian this time out.

• 09-Mar-2011 19:17 | | richie  - If Manuer can why can't we?
  

  Taggerts Mob have been crap all year they're scraped through match after match, to the point where many of our very own were getting nervious about them equaling our unbeaten season. Personally I watched them thinking "How?" how can they? how do they? How can they play so badly and win? How can they keep being so lucky? (Parks goal against us immediatly comes to mind). Well that house of cards came crashing down, like our CC dream of silver wear and our dream of getting by Barca.
  
  But who would bet against Taggerts boys doing the double even though they stink? With their luck anythings posible!
  So now turn it around, we can outplay teams like Manu'er, Chelski and Money City and still conspire to lose or draw by the tiniest of margins. So if we got a little bit of luck for a change (i.e. no leg breaking injuries, no dodgy ref's decisions) why couldn't we win the double? I can't think of a team left in either the FA or the Prem who has a better squad than us.

• 09-Mar-2011 19:38 | | richie  - UEFA FIFA REF's & FOOTBALL
  

  That makes sense remember if anyone dares ask questions about anything dodgy the powers that be come now on you like a ton of bricks. Even if everyone see's and knows corruption is taking place don't dare to mention it. Jack walker Fifa and an England bid immediatly spring to mind, a bid that only received 1 vote because English officials had dared to question something that everyone and his dog knew was going on. Like how is it that Fifa deligates with no other visable means of income seem to get rich? Ref's have agenda's just like deligates but don't dare say they were wrong.

• 09-Mar-2011 19:48 | | richie  - 40+ years of Arsenal players
  

  Muk who is Arsenal quality for you? Remember I've been watching my team since the sixty's and I get confused when people discribe a real trier like NB as not Arsenal quality

• 09-Mar-2011 19:52 | | Mr H
  

  Buck Farca and that pillock ref!!!
  
  We got screwed out of the next round. Properly screwed.
  
  Stop finger pointing and blame laying. This is OUR team, for good or ill. SUPPORT THEM!!!! I imagine there are fans of the Portsmouths and Leyton Orients that would do anything to have ANY of our players, even Denilson. EVEN IF THEY SUCK!!! They play for OUR TEAM!!! Save the hate for the proper enemies: corrupt UEFA, FA, FIFA MANCs Spuds Chelskis etc...
  
  COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 09-Mar-2011 19:54 | | richie
  

  Couldn't agree more Kosh got the ball (watch the ball's direction) it was taken away from Pedro who realising it dramatically tumbled over Kosh's leg.

• 10-Mar-2011 03:38 | | Man United Killa
  

  Well,its nice to know you have been watching Arsenal for a long time and you might have a lot of history under your belt but that does not change the fact that Bendtner is no where near Arsenal quality.He is rubbish.

• 10-Mar-2011 17:17 | | Sobin the Indian gooner
  

  Red card was the turning point,I believe we r defensively fantastic .Iam proud of our players.I hate barca bastards.I LOVE MY ARSENAL

• 10-Mar-2011 19:58 | | richie
  

  Stop hiding come out with who is Arsenal qaulity for you? If you name a player who´s not quality for you, tell us your fellow Gooners the name price, and availability of the quality player who you´d buy as the replacement. That way we´d have something to discuss instead of only all your negatives like NB ain´t Arse quality, Diaby ain´t Arse quality Denilson? Anyone who wants Arsene´s job needs to gain our confidence by naming who they´d keep who´d they´d let go and who they´d buy as replacements. Not just slag off our own. We´ve got enough Arsenal haters without our own joining them.

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