ARSENAL FC came back to draw 2-2 with FC BARCELONA in tonights 1º leg CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Quarter Final game with 20 last minutes of outstanding Football - Soccer. Earlier FC Barcelona had managed to dominate & control the match going up 0-2 by the 65th min when Arsenal Coach Wenger made the "magic" substitution putting on young Arsenal forward WALCOTT.
The first 20 minutes was FC Barcelona vs. Arsenal goalkeeper Alumunia who stopped everything, including balls that still after the game leaves one wondering how the hell did he do it. Important, as he was a vital piece of the team that saved Arsenal & allowed them to later comeback. In fact, FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes also did some unexplained magic stopping almost certain goals from young Arsenal player Bendtner.
But the goals came & all in the 2º half with Barça dominating the ball & the midfield with IBRAHIMOVIC scoring the first in the 46th min catching out the Arsenal defence cold. Watch the goal on the below VIDEO ( allow to load):
This rocked Arsenal & Barça continued strongly with IBRAHIMOVIC again scoring in the 59th min & putting the Spanish team in the driving seat. Watch his goal in the below VIDEO (allow to load):
Then Arsenal Coach Arsene Wenger decided that playing to dominant the midfield was not the way & decided to bet on pure speed, changing play-maker Nasri for "lightening" Walcott. The idea was to go for it, & the substitution revolutionized the game with Walcott tearing the right wing apart. This opened the game up & took the ball away from Barça that made them nervous. The come back began in the 69th min when WALCOTT himself scored to bring the stadium roof down. Watch his goal on the below VIDEO (allow to load):
Arsenal was from here onwards attacking in waves, & with speed with a more traditional English style of Football which was making Barça withdraw back onto themselves. Then the moment came in the 83rd min when Puyol had to "stop" an inspired Cesc Fabregas & forced a penalty. Barça defender & Captain Carles Puyol was sent off with a red card & CESC FABREGAS fired in the penalty & the second goal to equalize the match.
(photo: Cesc Fabregas_ efe_gerry.perry)
FC Barcelona held on to "fight another day" & thank their lucky stars that they go home with a 2-2 draw. The Spaniards will be kicking themselves however for not putting away the 4-5 clear chances they had in the 1º st half that could have sentenced the Q/Final there & then. But Football has a funny way of turning things around & Arsenal Coach Wenger reacted brilliantly with Walcott on fire. Watch the VIDEO of the equalizer (allow to load)
It´s now all up for grabs in the upcoming 2ºleg match with Barça having a slight advantage of the home ground & their two away goals. Added to this, Arsenal Captian Cesc Fabregas & Barça defender Gerard Pique will miss the next clash due to their yellow cards & Barça Captain Puyol will also be absent due to his red card. Tweet
