Last 16: Arsenal F.C. vs FC Barcelona First Leg 16.02.11

[Art Deco]

Honestly think Walcott v Maxwell is the key match up. Abidal is going to need to be on his toes in order to cover.

If Arsenal were smart they would pack the midfield. Don't think they will though.

[FCB-Rizla-TML]

i understand what you are saying. maxwell is a solid defender and he has good pace but he is not as fast as walcott but i think pep knows this and has prepared for this. and i am sure he has done what he can to prepare abidal for this mentally and physically... our system has always left us vulnerable on our wings since we use them to attack so this should be no different.. maxwell just has to work a lil harder and i think its time he gets to really prove himself.

[u99artur]

Who can tell me which colour will our players wear for today's game? The new light blue ones ore yellow?

[FCB-Rizla-TML]

my guess is the light blue... yellow is no longer ne of our kits... we have pink as our 3rd kit this yr

[Pedro17]

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/02/16/arsenal-v-barcelona-tactical-preview/

cant wait

[Hawk]

i understand what you are saying. maxwell is a solid defender and he has good pace but he is not as fast as walcott but i think pep knows this and has prepared for this. and i am sure he has done what he can to prepare abidal for this mentally and physically... our system has always left us vulnerable on our wings since we use them to attack so this should be no different.. maxwell just has to work a lil harder and i think its time he gets to really prove himself.

personally i think he sucks as a defender, especially on the back foot

[Art Deco]

Interesting comment that mentioned the possibility of Adriano at LB instead of Maxwell to counter Walcott's pace.

Maxwell is superior in positioning and passing though, so doubt it will happen.

[FCB-Rizla-TML]

lets do this

[matfcb]

Barcelona line-up (official): Valdes - Alves Pique Abidal Maxwell - Xavi Busquets Iniesta - Pedro Messi Villa

Bench: Pinto, Milito, Adriano, Mascherano, Keita, Afellay and Bojan.

Thiago is the 19-th man and will have to watch the game from the stands.

[joker_C]

I'm gonna watch the game on national TV and must say I'm getting increasingly sick of all dem Pep critics. They all think that Pep hides behind a display of superstars, as if with or without him, Barca would still be where it is. Where the f*88 are these people's heads, seriously?!? Don't other huge teams have superstars, but don't manage to win or bolster the same game?!? I think Pep deserves much more credit for his work than it's given to him!

GO Barca!

[ricardo30]

Watch Here Arsenal - Barcelona
http://p2psoccerlive.comli.com/sporttv1v.htm 1.Veetle PT
http://p2psoccerlive.comli.com/sporttvmb.htm 2.Flash PT
http://p2psoccerlive.comli.com/arsenal.htm 3.Flash PT
http://p2psoccerlive.comli.com/arsenal1.htm 4.Veetle PT
http://p2psoccerlive.comli.com/arsenal2.htm 5.Veetle EN
http://p2psoccerlive.comli.com/arsenal3.htm 6.Veetle EN

[Ozz]

Refs robbed us!

[Art Deco]

Well that was unexpected...

Is it just me or was Pep seemingly content with a 1-0 scoreline? We kinda stopped attacking and pulling off Villa was a sign we weren't planning on scoring again...

Nevertheless I'm confident we can turn this around in the second leg.

And yes we can blame the terrible refs for a disallowed goal and 2 potential hand balls.

[bobo]

Eh, they deserved it. First half was more or less equal, but Arsenal were much better in the second. We should be able to make that up in the second half if we concentrate for the whole game.

Also, Pique is ridiculously frustrating at times..

[PaBzTa]

Pefetic. I saw it coming. Barca took they're feet of the Peddle. But still the away goal is good.
Never understood why pep took Villa off? 1-0 was never enough and yet he takes Villa off.