The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of. Arsenal v Barcelona (CL QF 1st Leg)
It's Show Time
When I set out to write this preview, I thought about going down the path I usually do with these kind of things and outline the run up to the match and how it will play out. But as I look at this matchup between Arsenal and Barcelona, I can’t help but be amazed at the treat football fans are in for.
If this match plays out as we think it should, then fans of the beautiful game, even neutrals, are in store for an absolute cracker of a match. really, if you are about free flowing, passing, and attacking football then the gathering of these two teams Wednesday at the Emirates and next week at the Nou Camp is the pinnacle of what you want to see.
One on side you have the current “it” team – Barcelona. This is a team you don’t hate on. It has so much talent you wonder how long their run of success will go on. They currently boast their own creative 22 year old maestro, Lionel Messi. As has been said repeatedly over the last few weeks there aren’t enough adjectives to describe how good he is. In England the attempts to compare him to Wayne Rooney are clumsy at best. Rooney while he as the strength just does not have the creativity nor skill that Messi has.
But Messi is not their only weapon and Arsenal fans would be remiss to think so. They have their own Toure, Xavi, Pique and Zlatan Ibrahimavic. Throw in an Arsenal legend for good measure and you have a team that is absolutely a joy to watch play.
On the other side you have the heir apparent to the current “it” squad – Arsenal. My heart is red and white and I really believe we are on the cusp of seeing Arsenal reach the greatness of the same level as this Barca side. Led by the former product of Barca’s famed youth academy – Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal have their own talent crop to showcase. Led in the back by Thomas Vermaelen, Alex Song, Andrei Arshavin, Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby, and others, Arsenal feature some of the best young talent in the EPL. But they are still talent unrealized.
For the first time in five years though, Arsenal are challenging for trophies in the league and on the continent. Their path at home is still rough but they have been one of the more consistent sides (with the exception of that Brum draw) since the end of January. They have matured and maybe have begun to develop the necessary skills to be more competitive in challenging for the title than they have been in recent memory.
Hwever, when you look at this squad, it is a squad built for the continental tournament. It’s focus is less on brut slogging but stylish passing and attacking, controlling the ball and patiently moving it forward looking to dice open an opponent. Much like their opponent does back in La Liga.
There are so many sub-plots to this match and frankly the press has been running with them since the tie was announced. It represents the return of probably the greatest Arsenal player to ever wear the kit – Thierry Henry. Henry comes back amid much emotion at having to face his old club. Something he claims he did not want to do because of the love of the fans. But Henry is class and Arsenal fans will love him regardless of the kit he wears. The roar at the team introductions will be deafening. Pires got it last year and it still rings in his ears. Henry’s cheer will last him the rest of his eternal life.
It also features my choice of Arsene Wenger’s eventual replacement, Pep Guardiola. Pepe in his first season set out and like Arsene claimed trophies. Except he exceeded Arsene’s haul by a few. He took the treble in capturing La Liga, the Spanish Cup and the Champion’s league. Throw in 3 other trophies and in his first year the club won an impressive array of silverware. They are well on their way for more glory and all because this former Barcelona star has his team playing like his team of the 90’s.
The other subplot is Cesc Fabregas playing against the club that formed his talent in the early years. The club that has made no secret of its desire to bring him home. The club that will use him as a pawn in its Presidential elections. The club of his home. It was at Barcelona that Cesc learned of the saying “Mes que un club” – more than a club. It is what is drilled into every Barca youth’s head. But fate had him bring that mantra to Arsenal, where at 16 he was the youngest player eer to start in a first team match. He is in my opinion the best midfield player in the EPL. A feat only enhanced by his growth this season in Arsene’s new formation (a homage to Barca).
There are so many more. We can all discuss and digest. Frankly, I just want to sit back and enjoy what is likely to be the best two legs of the Champion’s League. Don’t you?
Now for the normal stuff.
How the Match Should Play Out:
Arsenal face off of against a squad that in the last two years beat both Chelsea and United – two teams that have had their way with Arsenal this season. You could argue though that Arsenal are built for just this type of game, where skill, speed, finesse, a ballet of ball movement are needed. It is going to be an open game. Both sides are likely to score multiple times. That all leaves it to who would have the class at Nou Camp.
Probable Starting XI:
Arsenal: Almunia, Vermalen, Campbell, Sagna, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Fabregas, Arshavin, Nasri, Bendtner
Barcelona: Valdes, lves, Puyol, Milito, Maxwell; Toure, Xavi, Messi ; Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Henry
Injuries:
Arsenal: Van Persie (ankle), Gibbs (foot), Djourou (knee) Ramsey (leg)
Barcelona: Pique, Abidal, Iniesta (don’t quote me on these)
Recent League Form:
Arsenal: DWWWW
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:
Arsenal: 2
Barcelona: 2
