Cesc Fabregas’ late penalty helps Arsenal salvage draw against ten-man Barcelona.
Arsenal staged an incredible turnaround and came from 2 goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions’ League tie against Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Fabregas, who was a major doubt for the game, started, but Thierry Henry was left on the bench on his return to Arsenal.
Barcelona started the game in amazing fashion, having 9 shots on goal in the first 15 minutes itself.
Two minutes in, Lionel Messi’s corner found Sergio Busqets on the edge of the penalty area and Manuel Almunia did well to save his low shot.
Barcelona had the best chance in the game four minutes later, when Daniel Alves beat the offside trap, before crossing low to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who inexplicably shot over the bar from 2 yards.
Almunia was certainly playing his part in keeping Arsenal level, saving well from both Ibrahimovic and then Xavi.
After this brutal onslaught, the score somehow was still 0-0.
Andrey Arshavin limped off in the 27th minute, and was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.
Arsenal’s only shot on goal came from French midfielder Samir Nasri, who cut inside left-back Maxwell, before seeing his curling effort go inches wide of the far wide.
Arsene Wenger was then forced to make another substitution, as William Gallas was stretchered off, and was replaced by Denilson.
Arsenal then suffered their biggest blow, when Fabregas, who was already on a yellow card from one of their previous games, was booked, ruling him out of next week’s return leg at the Nou Camp. Both sides went into the break at 0-0.
22 seconds into the second half though, things got even worse for Arsenal. Gerard Pique played a long ball to Ibrahimovic, Almunia came off his line only to be caught in no-man’s land, and the Swedish striker lobbed the ball over him to give Barca that crucial away goal. Arsene Wenger, who has a habit of coming out of the tunnel a bit late after half time, did not arrive in time to even see the goal.
Arsenal had a golden opportunity to draw level seven minutes later though, when Clichy crossed perfectly for Bendtner, but the big striker’s header was saved magnificently by Victor Valdes.
Just when Arsenal were getting into the game, Barca got their second on the hour-mark. Xavi played a perfect a perfect through ball between Song and Clichy to Ibramovic, who controlled well before blasting his shot past Almunia high into the center of the net.
Ibramovic had never scored against English opposition in 10 attempts prior to this, but now had 2 in the space of 14 minutes.
A few minutes, Pique was booked, ruling himself out of the return leg as well.
Arsenal needed a moment of inspiration and got one in the 69th minute, when Theo Walcott, who had come on a substitute two minutes earlier beat latched onto Bendtner’s through-ball before finishing past Valdes.
With the deficit halved, Arsenal suddenly found their touch and went forward looking for the equalizer.
Pep Guardiola then replaced Ibrahimovic with Thierry Henry, and the resounding cheers around the ground could be hard a mile away.
Arsenal got their chance 5 minutes from time, when Bendtner headed down Walcott’s cross to Fabregas, and the Spaniard, under pressure from Carles Puyol, took a tumble.Referee Massimo Bucassi pointed to the spot and flashed gave Puyol his marching orders.
Fabregas stepped up and sent Valdes the wrong way, to tie the score at 2-2. In the process, the Fabregas hurt himself, but as Arsenal had no substitutions left, was forced to carry on.
Arsenal pressed hard in the last few minutes, but was unable to find the winner.
Barcelona have the two crucial away goals and will favourites to progress to the semi-finals, but with both their centre-halves out, Arsenal will still fancy their chances at the Nou Camp next Tuesday.
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Source: Arsenal v Barcelona Post Match Report Football Blog – Football News
Source: Football Blog – Football News
Thursday, April 1, 2010
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