Neil

We don't really specialise in winning when we're supposed to. But now I've said that, 4-0.

Barcelona vs Man Utd Real Madrid vs Arsenal Valencia vs Man City Villareal vs Chelsea Atheltic Bilbao vs Tottenham Espanyol vs Liverpool Sevilla vs Bolton Atletico Madrid vs Sunderland Real Sociedad vs Newcastle Mallorca vs Everton (biased, of course) Getafe vs Fulham Levante vs Stoke Deportivo vs Aston Villa Racing vs Blackburn Osasuna vs Blackpool Sporting Gijon vs West Brom Real Zaragoza vs West Ham Hercules vs Birmingham Almeria vs Wolves Malaga vs Wigan

I'd say Spain.

What are you trying to say?

There's no way they were robbed man, for one thing the referee missed at least two penalties they should have had. They defending bravely, but last-ditch defending for 90 minutes is never going to get you through. It isn't a game plan either. First leg they did the same thing. Contain Barcelona, let them have their fun, then strike in the second half when they lose interest. Definitely game plan there. Once again we saw Barcelona score first, then in the second half Arsenal were getting back into it. Must have missed the second penalty shout, only saw the Messi foul... which was right on the edge of the box. Even if the ref had called it a foul it would be a legitimate coin toss as to whether it was a penalty or not. Also Bendtner broke into the box and was sandwiched by 3 Barcelona players (they can't all have won the ball)... it's all ifs and buts when it comes to penalty decisions. However, regardless of whether or not you approve of, or recognise, Arsenal's tactics the fact remains they had their noses in front and a very bad refereeing decision changed the outcome entirely. Had RVP stayed on the pitch I would have fully expected Arsenal to go through. Just because they were playing negatively doesn't mean there's no injustice. Arsenal's attempted to contain, yes, but they didn't do it very well. Time and time again Barca opened them up and Arsenal were incredibly lucky not to have conceded more over the course of the 2 legs. Nah. Think about Arsenal playing in the Premier League. It's a constant complaint that they dominate games but struggle to finish most of their moves. Do they get any sympathy? Do they shite... and quite right. The aim is to put the ball in the net. Against Barcelona it's a role reversal. Barcelona get into the Arsenal box but get crowded out by a very well organised defence. Barcelona kept trying the same moves again and again, practically passing it into the net, and had little joy most of the time. Difference is, Barcelona get the sympathy there where Arsenal having the same trouble against Wolves simply wouldn't. I think there's an element of "but it's Barcelona" when you're evaluating this. No different to the Sky Sports wanking over the "big 4". But Barcelona get the goals eventually - surely this is the difference? Nothing to do with sympathy. Barcelona didn't draw 0-0 tonight, so I don't see where the relevance of your comparison here is. If you mean periods within a game, then yes, Barca can overcomplicate things and try to pass it into the net, just like Arsenal, so there is a similarity there, to which the response would be the same: just have a bloody shot.

In terms of defending at Camp Nou, it was a lesson in tactical discipline and concentration, I agree.

There's no way they were robbed man, for one thing the referee missed at least two penalties they should have had. They defending bravely, but last-ditch defending for 90 minutes is never going to get you through. It isn't a game plan either. First leg they did the same thing. Contain Barcelona, let them have their fun, then strike in the second half when they lose interest. Definitely game plan there. Once again we saw Barcelona score first, then in the second half Arsenal were getting back into it. Must have missed the second penalty shout, only saw the Messi foul... which was right on the edge of the box. Even if the ref had called it a foul it would be a legitimate coin toss as to whether it was a penalty or not. Also Bendtner broke into the box and was sandwiched by 3 Barcelona players (they can't all have won the ball)... it's all ifs and buts when it comes to penalty decisions. However, regardless of whether or not you approve of, or recognise, Arsenal's tactics the fact remains they had their noses in front and a very bad refereeing decision changed the outcome entirely. Had RVP stayed on the pitch I would have fully expected Arsenal to go through. Just because they were playing negatively doesn't mean there's no injustice. Arsenal's attempted to contain, yes, but they didn't do it very well. Time and time again Barca opened them up and Arsenal were incredibly lucky not to have conceded more over the course of the 2 legs.

I quite like them tbh, certainly better than the clichéd rambling they come out with to the press. 'Well it was a great pass and I just hit it, and it went in the net.' "At the end of the day, I'm pleased for the team more than anything." No you're not, you're fucking delighted YOU got the winning goal to rescue your useless fucking teammates. Don't lie.

ArsenalMania disagrees. I daren't waste my time on that self-obsessed hellhole for fear of just getting irate.

Arsenal had one major bad thing go against them, wrongly. They've also, over the 2 legs, had some things go for them, wrongly. Furthermore, they've been fortunate to avoid a total battering over the course of the 2 legs such was Barca's superiority and the amount of times they opened up the Arsenal defence. Overall, they have little to complain about, and I'm sure most Arsenal fans, begrudgingly or not, will accept that.

I don't think Barcelona particularly playact or 'cheat' more than any other particular team. I think there is a magnification of their behaviour stemming from the fact they're such an amazing team, hence people will be more prone to spotting deficiencies, if you want to call them that. The fact they're such a good side doesn't in any way make these moments of gamesmanship more acceptable, nor should they be taken out of context the other way and blown out of proportion because of their general quality and skill. It's unfortunately a huge trait in the game as we know it today and from Barcelona to Barnsley every effort should be done to minimise it, and the impact it has.

"...lol jk."

do you think that will stop a media crusade by the english tabloids though? Tabloids, yes. Some of the more (usually) informative papers will hopefully see things in the bigger picture. Still, if we're just talking about refereeing, it's particularly bad timing when we've seen a catalogue of poor decisions in recent days.

It's an emotional night for Mozy. He's just tore down his favourite Robin van Persie poster and now he's weeping into his Arsenal pillow case. I was about to say he'd probably miss, but then again it's more accurate to say he wouldn't have got that far anyway.

Agreed tbh. They lack the plan B of not destroying their opposition.

Called the ref a cunt and then tea-bagged the camera. Pretty weird to be honest. Here, each to their own.

OY, SEWELLY, UPDATE THAT SIG BITCH

At a guess, Xavi and Iniesta had comfortably more passes that game than Arsenal did?

Get this - a Man Utd "fan" texted me saying he couldn't believe how biased the refs are towards Barca.

Considering they're so ridiculously good, Barca are hardly what you'd call "clinical". I guess though if you create as many chances as they do, it doesn't matter too much.

Shit's gonna get wild.

I THINK Adriano is left-footed.

There's Arsenal's solid defence again.

In fairness you have gone for the underdogs in both.