UEFA Champions League: Player ratings for Arsenal versus Barcelona (Part 2)
Alexander Song
After getting booked within the first 20 minutes of the match, Alexander Song, treaded a tight rope for the rest of the match until he was substituted in the second half of the match. Song’s yellow card had a detrimental effect on Arsenal’s pressure play
in the midfield area.
However, it can be said that the Cameroonian midfielder was a bit lucky for the rest of the match as the referee practised patience despite some niggling fouls by Arsenal’s defensive midfielder.
All in all, Song’s performance was an average one as Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta both pulled the strings in the middle of the park at Emirates stadium. Rating: 6.5/10
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463
Just 19 years old and playing in his first UEFA Champions League knockout fixture against Barcelona, Wilshere’s composure and calmness on the ball was a sight to behold.
Capello’s favourite Englishman was just a joy to watch for every football fan at the Emirates stadium. Wriggling away from the grasp of Xavi and Busquets throughout the match, Arsenal’s midfielder was impervious in his distribution and efficient in his tackling.
Last season, Wilshere was a nobody, but this season, the English midfielder has cemented a spot in Arsenal’s starting line-up. When both the teams face each other at Nou Camp in the second week of March, Wilshere will be on the Arsenal team sheet permitting
fitness issues. Rating: 9/10
Cesc Fabregas
Uncharacteristically subdued on the night but a talisman nonetheless, Fabregas’s display against his former employers was the centre of attention. Perhaps the Spanish midfielder was somewhat overawed by the task at hand but as the match progressed so did
Fabregas’s influence in the centre of the park.
By the 60th minute of the second half, Fabregas was dictating midfield traffic for the Gunners. He was evading the man-marking skills of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048 and in doing so, ushering the home team forward at will. Simply put, Fabregas gave an impressive
performance but it lacked certain aspects of brilliance that one has come to expect from Wenger’s midfield starlet. Rating: 7.5/10
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360
Silent for the first 25 minutes and then explosive for the last 35, Nasri was fired on by his encounter with Daniel Alves near the midway mark of the second half.
The Frenchman not only showed defensive responsibility as he tracked Alves’s offensive runs but also took full advantage of the space that the Brazilian full back left behind in Barcelona’s defence.
Arsenal’s second goal of the match came as a result of Nasri’s willingness to run in behind the Barcelona back four. It was his assist as he crossed the ball for Andrey Arshavin, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net for the Gunners. Rating:
8/10
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380
Dangerous for the total 90 minutes of football that was played between Arsenal and Barcelona, Van Persie was a headache for the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique and Eric Abidal throughout the match.
The Dutchman tested Victor Valdez’s reflexes within the first 10 minutes of the match but as the match ran on, it seemed Robin’s lack of accuracy with his finishing would cost Arsenal the tie.
However, in the second half, Persie made no mistake as he fired a powerful shot past Valdez, near the Barcelona’s goalkeepers near post. This equalizer spurred Arsenal onwards to an eventual win on the night as Persie’s contribution was minimal but momentous
at the same time. Rating: 7.5/10
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873
Touted up as the player to watch out for during the match, Walcott disappointed with his role as Arsenal’s right sided forward. His direct running was a problem for Barcelona on the counter attack but his final delivery let the former Southampton player
down time and again.
However, the Englishman’s presence alone was worrying enough for Barcelona as the Catalans seemed predisposed with the concept of stopping Walcott in his tracks. Overall, Walcott’s contribution to the match was negligible. It could have been more if the
youthful winger was more prolific with his crosses on the night. Rating: 7/10
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