Brains does it again

By Boris Mellor
April 2 2010

It was a strange feeling watching Arsenal play Barcelona; the crowd were up for it but in the first half were almost torn between urging on Arsenal and admiring Barca. Walcott described it as watching a team controlled on a play station. Their movement was accurate, and their use of free kicks carefully planned and incredible. For 25 minutes Arsenal could barely get out of their own half.

The only reason the Gunners did not go in 3-0 down at halftime was because of a great display by Almunia. My seat was behind the goal that Barca were attacking, and I am convinced that I will never want a 3D TV, it was frightening enough in real life watching the ball ricochet off Almunia's body parts, let alone seeing that in 3D.  Every time I thought the ball was going in he blocked it. But I couldn't believe that Arsenal would keep the ball out for the whole of the first half.

True after about 25 minutes Arsenal had a shot, but Barca had five or six by then. However at half time I felt optimistic, the Gunners were getting more of the ball and looking more solid, so I wasn't prepared for what happened at the start of the second half.

Uber Arsenal

At the half time briefing David said he was thankful that Uber Arsenal played just like Arsenal, I protested saying they play a lot better than that. But his point was that Barca had most of the play, lots of chances and nothing to show for it, which up to then was true, and just like Arsenal.

Slack Bladders delay me

Either more people had got into the stadium, or there were more slack bladders due to fright as the toilets were so crowded that I was late getting back to my seat. I have never been late before, but this time I was and missed Barca's goal scored almost immediately after kick off. I managed to watch it on the big screen and then rush up to my seat. I saw enough to know it was awful defending.

The crowd got behind the team but the Gunners were two nil down only 13 minutes later. The crowd was stunned and silenced, visions of Chelsea, Manchester United and old memories passed before our eyes. But the crowd didn't give up, and for that we have the referee to thank. Barca can't help cheating and the ref fell for lots of it, and Fabregas's yellow was extremely harsh, thus fortified on moral indignation the crowd kept going.

Moral indignation might not have been enough, but Walcott coming on at 66 minutes was enough to spur team and crowd on even more. Within three minutes of coming on Theo scored from a slide rule Bendtner pass. Now we all did really believe and the noise reached a crescendo, then Henry came on and I inwardly groaned, sure enough the Henry chant went up.

I feared it would undermine the urgency of the situation but as soon as Henry ran towards goal the crowd booed him as they did every other Barca player.

At Last Tempo

Now team and crowd worked together to pressure the Spaniards and it was working. Arsenal were charging into the box, Theo was causing havoc, but in the end it was a shrewd header from Nik that created the penalty chance. His ball to Fabregas left Puyol with no choice but to commit a foul. Fab had won a penalty and Puyol was sent off - two for the price of one. Fantastic. I could hardly bear to watch, and Puyol was refusing to go off, surely it would undermine Fabragas's concentration?

Fabregas stepped up very coolly and, with the keeper diving the wrong way, struck the ball home. The stadium went mad, and then we realised Fab was crocked, some wanted him to go off as it would still be 10 against 10. But Fab was determined to carry on leading his team, what a Captain he is - broken leg - nothing just a flesh wound.

The crowd now wanted a winner, but with Fab crocked and legs tiring it just wasn't on.

I was grateful we got to the end of the game without conceding a third. Henry went off to long and resounding applause from the Arsenal faithful. I don't care what the cynics and media say all I know is that we had been present at a great European night. I don't think any team could have lived with Barca on that form, that Arsenal did it with three major injuries during the game and got a draw is a tremendous achievement. Let's bask in that glory, tomorrow will take care of itself.

Apologies for late posting of report, but that was due to technical problems beyond my control.