Arsenal Top Barca In Late Comeback
Arsenal beat Barca in a three-goal thriller at the Emirates (eurosport.com)
This is one of the moments Cesc Fabregas surely does not regret playing for Arsenal. Even against the Catalans. The Gunners beat European champions FC Barcelona in a three-goal thriller last night at the Emirate thanks to a tremendous second half that found the hosts recovering the first half deficit.
Davi Villa opened the score in the 26th minute following a Barca trade mark action that saw Messi feeding the striker with a superb pass through Gunners’ defense who managed to steer the ball goalwards and home through Arsenal’s third keeper legs. Arsenal had a very good start and although missing lot of chances they proved to be able to dominate the game at times. Van Persie was the first to miss two great opportunities in the sixth and seventh minute respectively. Walcott found the Dutch unmarked twice, but the midfielder was unable to fructify the actions into goals.
Barca’ reply came in the 15th minute. Messi missed his first chance after managing to dribble an entire defense, but his lob went just of the far post. He could and should have done it better. Arsenal got their third dangerous action ten minutes later. (The same) Theo Walcott finished his long run with a smarty assistance towards Fabregas whose delivery could have met van Persie in very good position if Maxwell hadn’t intercepted the ball.
But David Villa silenced the tens of thousands Arsenal fans just one minute later. Unfortunately, that goal would the only one for the Catalans. The half time went 0-1 but the game was still open. The Ballon d’Or got his third chance in the 67th minute. Iniesta put the ball into Argentine’s path, but Messi couldn’t find the net, but its side.
Arsenal reply came as just. Van Persie won a ball on the verge of the box. He managed to keep the ball despite being put under pressure by Barca’s defender. Finally, he chose to thunder it home between the stick and Valdez’ right leg. Superb finish as the Dutch was embracing Wenger. The second goal would come just five minutes later. Arshavin replaced Alex Song. Actually, the French managed introduced two strikers during the second half, Arshavin and Bendtner, to force the counter attack. And he was inspired.
The Russian made it 2-0 following Nasri’s right-side action that ended with a magnificent delivery inside the box. The ball found Arshavin simply unmarked to strike it home into the far post past blinded Valdez. 2-1 and Arsenal remain in cards for the best eight round.
Said happy Arsene Wenger: “I am highly delighted because it was a special football match. The game promised a lot and absolutely fulfilled the promises between two exceptional football teams who always try to play. We were not only strong on the physical side but on the mental side, we kept resilient.”
The second leg will take place on March 8. Shakhtar Donetsk beat AS Roma 3-2 at Olimpico last night thanks to Jadson, Costa and Adriano’s goals. Perrota opened the score for the Italians, while Menez scored the last goal of the night. Mircea Lucescu’s side are one step into the next term.
