We do have the balls to compete!

Okay, so the first half and especially the first 20 minutes felt like league 1 team against league 11 team! We were running all around trying to stop a goal. The tie would have been over in the first three shots on goal! I didnt ever think that I may have to say this but Almunia made some outstanding saves. Block with a left hand, block with a right hand, a body block! However, Almunia made a Almunia out of himself for the first goal. Neither did he charge towards the ball, nor did he stand his ground. I reminded me a little bit of that goal in Champions League when Lehmann was in the goal. That was a bigger blunder than this one. But Lehmann generally did a far better job than Almunia. Sure he was eratic and hot tempered but always kept the back four organized with his shouting and experience.

There was not much positive for Arsenal in the first half. We lost Arshavin and Gallas to injuries. The club needs to clarify Arshavin's injury in more detail. For some reason it seems very suspicious. Its been told that Gallas and Arshavin will be out for at least three weeks. They probably wont feature until the last two games is my guess.

We had a couple of decent chances in the first half. The second half started as badly for us as the first half. Ibra scored after TV5 was drawn away by Messi and Song was too far away from Ibra to close him down. May be with an actual CB, things could have been different. The second goal was very similar to the first goal. The finish was pin point though.

After that goal, like every other gooner on this planet, I thought it was over. Its going to rain goals on us as we go up the pitch to score a goal or two. But Barca got tired and stopped chasing and pressing. Wenger brought on Theo a little late than I was hoping. But his pace helped us. The finish was powerful and motivated the team and the spectators as well.

I dont care what people say about the penalty. If you tackle from behind and you dont let the other guy score and dont have the ball possession, its a damn penalty. Screw everything else. Its a penalty. We lost Fab for the season and I hope its not the last time he plays for Arsenal.

The return leg is going to be a nightmare for us. They are going to win that one and honestly I dont mind going down to such a strong Barca team. They have enough reinforcements to fill the CB positions. We on the other hand have too small a squad when it comes to CB.

I am just happy at the fact that we scored against one of the strongest teams and came back from a two goal deficit. Thats a victory for me. Anyways, this post has been too late. Had been a little busy.