Barcelona Xavi

Barcelona Xavi

Barcelona Xavi

Posted on: December 16, 2011 - 8:02 am
by Admin

Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1

Match report

Two goals inside the last fifteen minutes turned this Champions League last-sixteen tie on its head with Arsenal coming from a goal down at half time to take an aggregate lead to the Nou Camp next month. David Villa gave Barcelona the lead at the Emirates after twenty six minutes with a precise finish. Arsene Wenger’s side rallied after the break and got their reward late on with Robin Van Persie equalising twelve minutes from time from a tight angle. Andrey Arshavin finished a counter attack by curling the ball inside the far post to complete the home side’s first ever victory over their Catalan opponents.

The Gunners made a composed start. On four minutes Samir Nasri’s free kick was nearly touched by Robin Van Persie on its way through to Victor Valdes in the Barca goal. Theo Walcott’s pace had the visitors worried moments later after running inside from the right. His decision to pass to the Dutchman on the right when Nasri to the left looked the better option prevented the home side creating a clear cut chance. The England winger did better with his second foray, showing trickery as he came inside at the edge of the box before passing to Fabregas who lofted the ball up for Van Persie to draw a save out of Valdes from a tight angle.

It took Barcelona a quarter of an hour to penetrate the home side’s defence. David Villa’s through ball left Lionel Messi one-on-one with Wojciech Szczesny, played onside by Laurent Koscielny, but his chip over the keeper dropped agonisingly wide. The visitors grew into the game, getting more and more possession as the half wore on. Last ditch defending by Eric Abidal denied the Gunners a chance at the other end though. Walcott on the counter found Fabregas and his cross towards Van Persie’s head was intercepted by the Frenchman.