Arsenal vs http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38605 - first half report
One of the most highly anticipated clashes of the UEFA Champions League between Arsenal and Barcelona is underway at the Emirates Stadium. It would be an understatement to say that the game lived up to expectations. Barcelona ended the first half with a
1-0 goal lead thanks to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629. It sure was end to end stuff.
Two minutes in and it was almost complete domination of the ball from Barcelona – kings of the pass-and-move philosophy – there were signs of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 getting on the ball.
Arsenal got back on their feet quickly. There was a cracking delivery from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 as he whipped a set-piece right in the danger area and needed only a touch to deflect it past the keeper, but there was no one to get to it.
There was soon more encouragement for Arsenal as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 was just a bit overcooked.
All of a sudden, Arsenal were bossing things around and a delightful flick over the Barca defence released Robin van Persie in the box, the Dutchman forced a smart stop with a half-volley from the angle.
There were few passes that went astray at the Emirates Stadium from both sides. It certainly was a far better start to proceedings for Arsenal this time around, though, compared to the last time Barca were in town. They looked more of the ball in the first
15 minutes than they were in the whole first hour of the match in 2010.
Barca moved in an instant and Lionel Messi was through one-on-one, released by David Villa, only for the Argentine to clip over onrushing home keeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wojciech-Szczesny-c36998. The angle was against him and the ball went inches wide of the post. The Arsenal keeper
did well to stand tall.
Barcelona were on the front foot again and Andres Iniesta was inches away from setting David Villa clear on goal, the Spaniard put a touch too much on his through-ball.
Then there were two chances and two misses. Lionel Messi again caused a touch of panic in the Arsenal ranks with a trademark dance across the box, but his attempted right-footed chip floated harmlessly into the hands of Wojciech Szszesny.
Barca’s domination finally paid off, and maybe it was a question of when rather than if. Lionel Messi drove at the Arsenal defence and, played a perfect through ball. Villa was calm under pressure and easily slotted the ball under the keeper. There were
shouts of offside, but replays showed that the World Cup winning striker was clearly on.
Arsenal did not get bobbed down after the goal, and mounted serious attacks at the Barca goal. However, none of them could muster a goal for the home side. Arsenal are still in the game with 45 minutes yet to be played.
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