Once More Unto The Breach: Arsenal v Barcelona (CL QF 2nd Leg)

This time its for all the marbles

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
Or close the wall up with our English dead!
In peace there ‘s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger:
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect. –  Henry V Act 3 Sc 1 William Shakespeare

 One of Shakespeare’s most iconic lines. It is so fitting for this match against two of the giants of European football.

Last week I spent 60 minutes in a pub in abject frustration. I watched a team, a classy team, my team get thoroughly outclassed. I watched a team become as poetic in motion, as ruthless as a killer and as potent as any single malt shred a team I thought had all those qualities. Thanks to the lucky feet hands and face of our keeper it was thankfully oly 2-0 when it could easily have been 6-0  GAME, SET and MATCH.

There would have been no need for today had Manuel Almunia not played the best 25 minutes of his career (Shortly followed by the worst 10 minutes). Had not the pace of Theo Walcott completely out maneouvered Maxwell and had not Carlos Puyol been stupid this game would’ve been a formality and we would’ve been likely crowning Barcelona as the European Champions. (hey we still might).

The task for the Gunners is huge. They have more injuries than a hospital can take care. Fabregas, Gallas, Arshavin, Song, oh the list goes on are all out of this match. That means many players who would not normally be called on to be the heros will be. Samir Nasri will lead the attack. Personally, I am eager to see this because Nasri has shown that when he plays the central role he is almost as good as Fabregas. Yes, it was against Porto but he shredded them completely spearheading the 5-0 thrashing of the Portoguese side in the last round of the CL. He plays better here and frankly I think he has more ofg a physical side than Fabregas has. Fabregas though has the all around complete game and sees the play devleop better than anyone I’ve seen. So there isn’t much loss there.

The biggest loss will be Alexander Song. I am amazed at how far this kid has come this season. I was ready to have him shipped out this season. Frankly when he was starting in the early parts of the season I was wondering how this would work out. To say that he has been one of our consistent performers each night out. is an understatement. He has. He controls the midfeld very well and creates havoc for opposing attacks. 

So the Gunners do not have their full allotment of weapons and all the pundits and some fans have written them off. And if I am a realist I could very well write them off. Hell, they are playing the best team on the planet right now. Even the nouveau galacticos in Madrid pale in comparison. So you wouldn’t nor couldn’t blame a Gooner if he thought their boys were going down. But as has been the case all season long this team sets out to prove doubters wrong.

It remains to be seen if this current crop of Gunners is merely achieving beyond its ability or if this is the beginning of a glorious time in Gunner lore. That script won’t be written till next season when they are either competing for a title or sadly for the fourth Champions League spot.  What is known is that at ever chance they have been written off that have stormed back to steal away. How long that lasts is unknown. But they did it to this Barcelona squad last week and there is no reason to doubt they can’t do it again this week.

Why you ask? For one thing Bracelona are not invincible. They lost 2-1 at home against Rubin Kazan and by the same score to Sevilla in the Spanish cup. Also while Arsenal are lacking, so too are the Blaugrana. Ibrahimovic, Puyol and Pique are all out. That’s two first team central defenders and one star attacker. Iniesta if he makes the squad will not start. He is a game time fitness decision. While they remain a formidable side (any side with Messi and Xavi in it are) they are weakened and can be had.

Regardless of the team’s situations this again could provide much entertainment for all. Hell, if it has half of what was evident in last week’s match this will go down as a legendary tie. It will be one we always remember whatever the outcome. Whether its the swashbuckling style of Barcelona or the determined spirit of our Gunners, this will be a tie for the ages. I am glad it is happening. I am glad I will get to see a proper football match.

Our beloved Gunners head once more into the breach and into a possible dance with destiny (hey I can wax poetic if I want to). I am of the mind that if they get past Barcelona then they will win the Champion’s League. Like they say, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best and the Gunners can do that.

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot:
Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry! England and Saint George!’ – Henry V Act 3 Sc 1 – William Shakespeare

How the Match Should Play Out:
Barcelona will look to be as ruthless as they were last week. I think the ferocity of their attack last week not only showed how good they are but how afriad they were of Arsenal’s ability. They were absolutely intent on knocking Arsenal out of the match early and if not for Almunia they would’ve done so. While I expect the same level of play, I don’t expect Arsenal to be mere viewers. They took what Barcelona had to give and they survived. There is no more awe. Any way, I don’t have a score for this. I think it comes out a draw and we go down to PKs. Just because it would make this more classic than it already is.

Probable Starting XI:
Arsenal: Almunia, Vermalen, Campbell, Sagna, Clichy, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Eboue, Rosicky, Bendtner

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Milito, Marquez, Maxwell, Toure, Xavi, Keita, Messi, Bojan, Pedro.

Injuries/Suspended:
Arsenal: Fabregas (leg) Arshavin (leg) Song (groin) Gallas (leg)Van Persie (ankle), Gibbs (foot), Djourou (knee) Ramsey (leg)

Barcelona: Puyol, Pique, Abidal, Iniesta

Recent League Form:
Arsenal: WDWWW

Barcelona: WDWWW

TV Broadcast:
US: Fox Soccer Channel/Foxsoccer.tv 1445 EST

UK: ITV1

Online Streams:
www.atdhe.net

www.justin.tv

www.iraqgoals.net

www.myp2p.eu

GAMEDAY CHAT Will Be On: www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Who knows?????