10 vs. 11 - Asking too much of Arsene's men

All I can think to say is I am GUTTED. Sure when Lehmann was sent off with just under 20 minutes gone in the game I thought Arsenal were beaten but Campbell's goal gave us all hope. During half-time Mark made a comment that Arsenal would need an early 2nd goal in order to see off Barca. He was right and oh how close Arsenal came to making it 2-0! Sadly though it seems that Henry's legs were just a touch too heavy to score the goal required, despite 3 very good chances. When the goal didn't come it was more a case of hope than anythingelse. With 76 minutes gone Eto'o got inside of Eboue and one on one with Almunia, 1-1. That was the killer blow. Arsenal were a 6s and 7s from then on. There was really no way back. The introduction of Belletti was the knock out punch as he raided down the right and where Oleguer had posed no threat Belletti was quite different. A surging run past Cole and Flamini and a shot through Almunia won the game for the Spaniards. Then it was 10 minutes of hell as Wenger brought on Reyes, far too late, and Barca played keep ball. Toure, who was outstanding, tried to liven things up with some tackles but the ref was having none of it. Talking of which, the ref was useless! How many bad challenges was Marquez allowed to make on Henry!? Too many. Then when Henry makes a strong but fair challenge, yellow card! Nice one ref! He was a Homer no doubt there.

So there we are... so near but yet so far.

Goodbye Pires & Bergkamp...

Goodbye Henry, Cole & Campbell? Maybe

----Positives----

Toure was outstanding.

This was a good lesson for the younger lads. Fabregas, Eboue, Flamini, Diabi, Van Persie, Senderos, Hleb. They'll want it more than ever now.

Theo Walcott is in the pipe-line.