This was Arsenal's biggest nite ever and what an anti-climax it was. 18 minutes into the match, Lehmann, the goalie who created many a European record on the way to the final, does a foul to avoid a goal, gets sent off. It was a fair decision as the referee blew the whistle after the foul was committed and before the goal was scored. I think it would have been fairer to allow the goal and retain Lehmann and made a match out of it. One goal down, with 11 men, Arsenal would have been better off than 1 goal up with 10 men. This is because, no team in this world can play with 10 men against a Barca 11 and expect them not to score. Sooner or later they would do that and they did, twice.
The match that was billed as a Ronaldinho vs Henry never lived up to that. Ronaldinho was cramped for space by the wonderful defence of Arsenal and Henry missed chances,which he would have scored with his eyes closed in the EPL. Ljunberg ran all over the place, Fabregas was good and even the replacement goalie Almunia was good till he let those two in.
The quality of refereeing was poor without doubt. Both sides missed chances. The two teams were my most favourite and 2nd most favourite teams.
Only positive thing that happened for Arsenal would be perhaps Henry having second thoughts on joining Barcelona now!!!
1 comment:
Arsenal played well ..deserved to win !!
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