Arsenal Vs. Barcelona 2011: Halftime, Gunners Playing Well But Slightly Outclassed By Blaugranas

Lionel Messi’s superb assist to David Villa has been the main difference in this 2011 UEFA Champions League tie between Arsenal and Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium, with their 26th minute combination for a goal giving the Blaugranas a 1-0 lead over the Gunners. Not surprisingly, Barcelona have done very well to hold possession, their traditional forte, especially with Sergio Busquets and Pedro re-joining the lineup after being left out this weekend.

Much of the pre-match focus was on Cesc Fabregas, but the midfield battles between Jack Wilshere and Busquets have been much more interesting. There is a lot of quality on the pitch with no one having a poor game by any stretch of the imagination, but Wilshere and Busquets have arguably shone brighter than the other four central midfield players on the pitch, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Fabregas, and Alex Song. Wilshere has combined his complete skill set with a spectacular work rate so far, while Busquets has shown off the positional sense and passing ability that has kept him preferred to Javier Mascherano since the Argentinian’s arrival.

Theo Walcott was highlighted by Lionel Messi as Arsenal’s most dangerous threat, and that has been true to an extent. While Walcott has not shone to the degree of Wilshere thus far, he has given Barcelona some problems with his pace and missed one opportunity to score late in the first half. Additionally, he was the architect of the play that culminated in Arsenal’s best chance of the evening, a Robin Van Persie shot that was saved by Victor Valdes.

If Arsenal want to have a serious chance to advance to the next stage of Champions League, they will have to score a goal and force a draw, at the very least. Even the most optimistic of Gunners supporters will find it hard to make an argument that a win at the Camp Nou is a likely scenario.