Always a curious feeling going into a two legged knockout game. On the one hand we have the excitement of taking part in the final stages of the Champion’s League, one of the greatest club tournaments in the world. On the other hand we face the chilling prospect of trying to get past the five time winners, current holders and owners of some of the greatest footballing talents ever seen wearing the same shirts. On the other hand tonight will only be the first half, part one of two, with the only guarantee that of an undecided outcome. In short, this is the kind of night suitable only for those with three hands.
I never know what to feel about a first leg. I’m wound up like a hungry boa constrictor getting around his first wild pig of the day and yet I know from much experience that I will be left with a sense of anti climax after the final whistle regardless of the score. Just like the draw for the next round of the FA cup I cannot get myself interested in something that hasn’t happened and may not come to pass. We could be leading by two clear goals after tonight or losing by a similar amount and it will mean nothing. Nothing beyond a head start or a handicap at the opening note of the referees little instrument in the Camp Nou in just over three week’s time. Both circumstances could be dramatically altered within minutes of that note disappearing into the ether. A very odd state of affairs.
Is it important to win a home tie? Of course it is. It’s always important to win any tie. Is it the most important thing or is not conceding an away goal more significant? Is the away goal rule the biggest pile of dog doo in the history of the football rule book? Would you rather travel to Barca two one up or at nil nil? If they fail to score do they play with less panache in their home leg being all the time conscious of the damage a break away goal can do? Do we opt for Theo’s pace or Olivier’s guile and habit of scoring against the big boys? Is Danny fit enough to start? Will Alexis’ frustrating lack of form evaporate into a glorious exhibition of destruction against his old club? Do we defend as against Bayern or go for it and try to surprise them?
Today I am full of questions. Tomorrow I fear I will only have more. What can we predict with any certainty? Death and sex according to Woody Allen who went on to add “Two things that come once in my lifetime. But at least after death you’re not nauseous” he might have been talking of victory and defeat.
According to the form book we are Hull and Barca are us tonight. The switch from shoe in to also ran is a curious one for us fans and I suspect for the players. Supporters are swinging between the moodiness of an anticipated mauling and the thrill at the thought of overturning the odds and of a famous victory. We could of course defend with heroism and whatever luck is going around (apologies to Millsy for use of the forbidden concept) and stun them on the breakaway. We could get tonked.
But if we are cast in the role of Hull just remember what happened as you ate your lunch on Saturday and remember that as crazily talented as their players are they can only field eleven of them. As long as the referee doesn’t intervene to send any of our chaps off for an ill deserved early splash in the team bath then we too will have eleven guys out there and none of them will be there as a reward for winning a competition in Take A Break.
Our players are not mugs and our manager is not wet behind the ears. No one gave us a prayer before any of the historic European victories we have enjoyed down through the years and so what? Fuck the doubters and the spineless and the agenda driven anti Arsenal mainstream media; win lose or draw we’ll give it everything we’ve got and who knows we might just stagger out of the evening bloodied but unbowed. We might even give the darlings of the pundits a couple of bruises of their own to think about on the slow boat back to Catalonia.
I hate being underdogs, I hate the thought of defeat to certain teams more than any others and tonight’s opponents are among that select, foetid few. It makes me nervous not because I assume we’ll lose but because in the event of a defeat the taste will be so much more bitter. I believe we can do it, I know it will be tough. Obviously it won’t be the end of the world if we lose but it will put a dent in the momentum we’ve been trying to build since our run of unwelcome results in January. Then again it won’t mean a thing because of course tonight will end at the start of a kind of long drawn out half time.
Nothing will be settled. Nothing will be known. Nothing is certain. A curious sensation of detachment accompanies the butterflies and tension as I anticipate what may be a great European night. One nil to the Arsenal is my preferred outcome. Three nil would surely be too much to hope for and they’d rip into us with a nothing to lose attitude in the second leg. Two nil is a mischievous lead. Seemingly impregnable until you concede a goal and then the momentum shifts horribly in favour of the other lot. One nil might put them in fear of the away goal and so cause them to keep half an eye on the back door. Gives us at once something to defend and something to aim at. That’s not a prediction you understand. That’s just a positive scenario and one which I can actually imagine.
Anyway, time to stick the kettle on and rinse out my lucky Arsenal mug. Or not. I could of course wait and use it for a cuppa at any time in the next three weeks and I still would have employed it’s nebulous, recondite charms during the course of the tie. It’s an odd one to be sure. But then these two legged ties are odd aren’t they? Curious chaps. Jigsaws with missing pieces. Sausage sandwiches with no brown sauce. Story arcs with no denouement. A concerto with no final note.
Positively Arsenal 
Morning Stew – a day of anticipation, pregnant with opportunity.
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Morning Stew, Andrew – everyone.
Questions, questions, questions.
I always have mixed feelings playing either of the two state-aided Spanish giants.
Undoubtedly both continental squads are rammed full of over-paid, over-adulated outrageous talent, all beneficiaries to a man of playing in one of the softest leagues in world football with just the occasional competitive game to contend with.
Unlike Arsenal (or any EPL outfit) for whom practically every game is these days considered a cup final and played with a similar fear of negative outcomes. The stench of destroyed blood stocks and the persistent albeit unproven Spanish doping allegations do little to sway my negativity towards tonight’s opponents who should frankly stroll through the encounter.
But here lies the rub.
Arsenal always have a great chance against any team set up to attack us.
Always, always, always.
Agree with Stew’s remarks on the detestable ‘away goals rule’.
The English supposedly ‘gave’ the game to the world but at no point did we stipulate that in certain circumstances some goals shall be considered created greater than other goals. The elimination of one of the most distorting amendments to a classic rule book can not come soon enough.
Enjoy the game everyone.
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Morning Steww, apologies accepted! A great write up again, and another in only a few days, and even Miles Monroe getting quoted, good stuff!! “Anybody moves and the nose gets it!”.Fackin Woody was one funny son of a gun! Alvy Singer is still the King though!!
I was interested in the word “nothing” and the terms you used.”Nothing” is certain.I challenge this, in that “something” is always certain! “Something” will be “known” and “something” will always be settled. “Nothing” is some kind of bizarre thing/idea that people are searching for and cannot find,of course not.How can they? “Nothing” doesn’t exist! How can it?The natural law of relativity means that there is always something…
I’ll get me coat.
Thanks again Steww, I always look forward to your write ups to see what you written and your views on things.
For me tonight’s key man for us could be Özil. Anyone got the garlic and cross ready for when the vampire gets on the pitch?
COYG!
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Millsy – ‘write ups’? Surely ‘writes up’.
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Good morning Stew, Positivista posse.
Getting pass Barça tonight won’t be easy, and being apprehensive is normal. But I do think this Arsenal team are in great shape to overcome them.
Defensively and winning the important midfield battles leading up to this game, we’ve done well. Finishing and our final ball has been our achilles heel. Fortunately, Barça’s brand of footie allows Arsenal by extension, the ideal opportunity to execute brand Wenger-ball better.
The Emirates has always been good to Arsenal in these mouth-watering ties, and I don’t think tonight will be any different. The table will be set for our speedsters to have fun. We score that important first goal and Barça – whom the idiots and media are intent on making feel like the home team – might start to doubt whether is wise playing an open game.
I can’t wait for kick-off.
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Seems like it should be but the plural “writes”doesnt sound/seem right to me…
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More than one write the same up! But I don’t actually know I’m just playing.
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It’s a simple principle in football that it takes two goals to change from winning to losing (and vice versa). And then some bright spark decided that we could deter teams from adopting a 10-0-0 formation in away matches by applying the away goals rule. And so we’re all now destined for the inevitable terminus of the bus travelling down the road paved with good intentions.
And, by the way, why are we discussing write-ups and writes-up when we could be having much more fun with shoe-in and shoo-in?
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I am quite excited about tonight. I have no sense of resignation. I have seen enough football to allow me the indulgence that some of the very best “footballing” teams can be vulnerable against a footballing Arsenal. If there are no untoward events and it remains 11 v 11 don’t be surprised if we win…..
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Steww: Before I read your piece that picture struck me. Is that a bridge too far?
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another one of those games that the first goal could be the crucial one, Arsenal score it and we can concentrate more on defense and hitting them on the break, Barcelona score first and risks must be taken, and against MSN that could be fatal. First goal is the one, and as long as its to Arsenal we should not worry if it don’t come till late in the game.
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That sums it all up…
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Whew. This blog has simply amplified the wildly divergent and often conflicting emotions I already felt in anticipation of this game. This is a compliment to Steww by the way. But at the end of the day I can’t shake a sense of resignation because this is an enemy who, on paper, bring some bigger weapons to the fight. As far as I am concerned we are The Arsenal and we will fight them to the bitter end. What is to be will be.
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Merlot – you have educated me. Thank you. I’ve never seen shoo-in written down and so always assumed the misspelling. This is an educational blog. I won’t edit the post however otherwise your comment won’t make any sense.
Shotta – surely a bridge not far enough…
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Steww: After reading the post, my interpretation: 1st leg of a two-way tie, that unfinished bridge is shrouded in fog and uncertainty. Is that close enough?
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Lovely stuff Stew,no one gives us a prayer tonight,that’s just how I like it.
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As all football clubs the bridge is a work in progress
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Just followed a Spurs fan on Twitter based on his tweet “I wish we were playing Barcelona tonight”
Doesn’t matter who you support – you either get it or you don’t. People here do.
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Some of our fan base appear to regard it as a hardship to watch the most exceptional footballer on the planet. No eye some of them Steve
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You got it perfectly Steww, excitement and intridpudation in the same breath. I so so so want to win but as long as we’re not embarrassed I’ll be content I suppose, although I might change my mind after the two legs. It would be nice if a fair proportion of the beautiful game is played by us and we are good in all aspects of the game. COYG
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Billy Hill doesn’t see it as a shoo-in, with Barca 4/6 to win, and the draw at 13/5 (interestingly shorter than The Arsenal win at nearly 4-1). Just to put those prices in perspective, Arsenal playing at home against Hull were priced at 2/5 and Manchester United last night at 1/3.
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Excellent Steww.
I just can’t wait for kick off.
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Evening peeps.
Both teams playing Wengerball tonight. Let’s enjoy the spectacle.
Something special might happen.
Up the Arsenal!!
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DC – are you in the press box already ?
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COYG
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Stew, thanks for the review.
Alas, poor Arshavin, how could your goal that evening, not be writes-up, write-ups, shoe-in or shoo-in?
PG, wherefore art thou?
CITG
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Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Ramsey, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
Substitutes: Ospina, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini, Campbell, Walcott, Welbeck
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160223/team-news-cech-starts-in-goal#zqqbZp1utoABBprA.99
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COYG! Good atmosphere!
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any streams?
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Ox really should have scored there
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this ref is going to get our crowd behind the team
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ox is so annoying
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What a bullshit free kick. Cheating Messi, cheating ref.
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Oh yeah, thanks for the write up Steww.
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HT: 0-0
We’ve had two great chances, Ox really should have scored, Barcelona with something like 75% possession but so far have not had a shot on target, Suarez went close right at the end of the half with a header
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Not a bad first quarter. Chances at both ends.
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not bad first half (imo),might not see the Ox for the second.As for the ref…
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odds on that this ref will send off an Arsenal player if Barcelona stays at nil
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0-0 right – great football
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cech with a fine save
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Theo on for OX,
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Barca at their usual cheating
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COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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the ball has become a hot potato for the Arsenal players, giving it away far too easily,
goalie makes a great save from a Giroud header
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alexis has taken up the ox role of wasting good positions
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both sides with half chances
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Theo not been in the game yet
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good tracking back by alexis
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Giroud gives away the ball in the barca area, ollie clearly thought theo had gone on his outside but he had gone the other way
barca’s defense is struggling more with our attack than ours is with theirs, its just we are not having enough of the ball
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ah for fucks sake, got caught men short on a barca breakaway, messi scores
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