The other games today - 2010/11

[Neil]

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 indeed surprisingly poor finishing.

 

Overall, they have little to complain about, and I'm sure most Arsenal fans, begrudgingly or not, will accept that.

 

ArsenalMania disagrees.

 

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

[Guest firetotheworks]

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 agree with everything but the last bit, although I imagine they'll admit the better team won.

[LucaAltieri]

Arsenal defended like champs. Had the same game plan as last time and were exercising it well. One foot in the the next round before the referee changed the game.

 

Of course Barcelona dominated possession and shots. But that wasn't Arsenal's game tonight.

 

Barca may be the better side going forward, but Arsenal were still robbed.

 

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.

[Gash]

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 indeed surprisingly poor finishing.

 

Overall, they have little to complain about, and I'm sure most Arsenal fans, begrudgingly or not, will accept that.

 

ArsenalMania disagrees.

Just don't go there it's full of children or imbeciles who are extremely biased, Arsenal-Land is the best but has about 10 members...

[Neil]

Arsenal defended like champs. Had the same game plan as last time and were exercising it well. One foot in the the next round before the referee changed the game.

 

Of course Barcelona dominated possession and shots. But that wasn't Arsenal's game tonight.

 

Barca may be the better side going forward, but Arsenal were still robbed.

 

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.

[Dave]

@Persie_Official Robin van Persie

Thanks all AFC fans 4 tonight played vs a great team and a even better ref. He had a absolute shocker tonight think we all agree on this 1

 

[ponsaelius]

What Inter did to Barcelona last season, that is containing. What Arsenal did, was get torn apart time and time again and be grateful for missed chances/the odd last ditch block.

[Nobody]

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.

Really?

[Ishmael]

Inter put on a footballing masterclass across those two legs.  Beautiful.

 

Actually the best footballing side I've ever seen.

[Frazzle]

@Persie_Official Robin van Persie

Thanks all AFC fans 4 tonight played vs a great team and a even better ref. He had a absolute shocker tonight think we all agree on this 1

 

 

Yes, Robin.  The ref was crap, he completely missed a blatant pen for Barcelona.

[Neil]

Inter put on a footballing masterclass across those two legs.  Beautiful.

 

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

[colinmk]

Barca just ridiculous again, incredible team. Arsenal good defensive but nobody can cope against a performance like that.

[Ishmael]

@Persie_Official Robin van Persie

Thanks all AFC fans 4 tonight played vs a great team and a even better ref. He had a absolute shocker tonight think we all agree on this 1

 

 

Yes, Robin.  The ref was crap, he completely missed a blatant pen for Barcelona.

 

He did and he made lots of odd decisions that went against both sides.

[Guest]

My only regret over the two-legs is that Barcelona didn't absolutely destroy them goalwise as much as they did performance wise.

[colinmk]

Can't believe some of the commentary saying the refereeing had any bearing on the game. Absolutely cringeworthy stuff and seems to be an obsession in english football at the moment.

[Ronaldo]

Inter put on a footballing masterclass across those two legs.  Beautiful.

 

Actually the best footballing side I've ever seen.

 

Inter had more luck than Terry Mac in the first leg. Barca wrongly flagged offside twice, Inter's 3rd a mile offside but not flagged..........

[ponsaelius]

Can't believe some of the commentary saying the refereeing had any bearing on the game. Absolutely cringeworthy stuff and seems to be an obsession in english football at the moment.

 

Like I said, they've got their ready-made excuse now. It'll forever be there to justify the inadeqacies of the English side in this case. In fact, this is exactly the same thing that happened after the WC (and every England exit from a major tournament in history).

[ponsaelius]

Inter put on a footballing masterclass across those two legs.  Beautiful.

 

Actually the best footballing side I've ever seen.

 

Haddaway man, an incredible example of tactical dicipline, organisation and commitment. But Beautiful and an example 'footballing' greatness? Not for me like, and this coming from an Inter sympathiser.

[LucaAltieri]

Arsenal defended like champs. Had the same game plan as last time and were exercising it well. One foot in the the next round before the referee changed the game.

 

Of course Barcelona dominated possession and shots. But that wasn't Arsenal's game tonight.

 

Barca may be the better side going forward, but Arsenal were still robbed.

 

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".

[Guest firetotheworks]

Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.'

 

Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant.

[colinmk]

Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.'

 

Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant.

 

Ah is that who the co-commentator was. I was wondering. Yeah it was when he said that I just cringed.

[Gash]

Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.'

 

Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant.

Got any more commentary transcripts? I enjoyed those ones...

[Neil]

Arsenal defended like champs. Had the same game plan as last time and were exercising it well. One foot in the the next round before the referee changed the game.

 

Of course Barcelona dominated possession and shots. But that wasn't Arsenal's game tonight.

 

Barca may be the better side going forward, but Arsenal were still robbed.

 

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.

[Guest firetotheworks]

Martin Tyler seemed to see it as it is. Alan Smith is useless, at 3-1 he said 'It's a huge mountain for Arsenal to climb now.' to which Tyler replied with silence and then '...but then of course if Arsenal score, they go through.'

 

Later Alan Smith said that the decisions had a huge bearing on the match, to which again Tyler kind of sat guffawed to and then laughed before saying that Barca had been undoubtedly good value for the win, and that the decisions were probably irrelevant.

Got any more commentary transcripts? I enjoyed those ones...

Congratulations.

[Nobody]

Can't believe some of the commentary saying the refereeing had any bearing on the game. Absolutely cringeworthy stuff and seems to be an obsession in english football at the moment.

 

Like I said, they've got their ready-made excuse now. It'll forever be there to justify the inadeqacies of the English side in this case. In fact, this is exactly the same thing that happened after the WC (and every England exit from a major tournament in history).

Spot on.