Waking up in the morning feeling all sorts, that is the typical feeling on match days, but today is different then any other day, its us the mighty Arsenal vs. The world beaters Barcelona.
Work isn't work on days like these, you find yourself browsing the net trying to fill your head up with knowledge of the pending game. Who is in? Who is out? What's the formation? And above all we look at what the public have to say about the game, while looking for the smallest hints that might shift our thoughts in any way.
Days like these are slower then any other day of the week, the day drags like a slug after a rainy day. Then finally the time comes when you have to actually get up, get your gear on, and before you leave the house you take a deep breath and say to yourself that we can do this! This is ours! We are the Arsenal, we can beat anyone on our day!
Well the time comes and we at the Spirals Arsenal Tavern are in good spirits as usual. We sing the songs, and we sing them loud. There is no breaking us down. We don't get intimidated. We don't get provoked. All we do is get on with it, and what ever happens happens.
The game started with real promise, as we pressed, hassled, passed and probed. Yes we were not Barca, but we gave it our all. And the reward was a goal by our very own super Nick. Our B52 received the ball from Walcott with a pass that was a very difficult one to control but our super Nick worked hard to win the ball and smash it in the net , we couldn't believe it! The Spirals Arsenal Tavern was rocking!
We were all over the place, jumping like we never scored a goal in our lives, like brothers we celebrated like one of us had just become a father of a new born. Ahhh what a feeling.
One thing no body who is close to me will understand is that these guys and girls who show their support are connected by something greater than friendship. Its a mutual bond we all relate to and follow with a passion. Its the Arsenal, and it supporters are my family!
Back to the game! We were in this tie, and even though we didn't have most of our first choice players, we still managed to play in the Camp Nou as if it was our field to play on. We brought it to them, unfortunately our joy and celebrations we short lived due to one man or boy if you like. The one and only Lionel Messi. The best player in the world at the age of 22. He lashed on to a defensive error and struck a beauty of a ball into the net leaving Almunia with no chance.
1-1.
Not long after that Messi did it again, this time being at the right place at the right time to score from close range. Then he did it again latching on to a Dani Alves pass to brilliantly lob the keeper leaving us spellbound. It was one of those slow motion moments that we Arsenal fans were so used to when Thierry Henry wore the number 14 for us.
So Messi 3- Arsenal 1 at Half time.
During half time I decided to go outside and sit alone to just reflect on the game, our team and its progress this year, and weather we will ever be as good as Barcelona? To be honest I was blank. I couldn't think of anything apart from the fact that I had that lingering hope that we can pull off another upset, all we needed was to score two goals right? I put that hope and shoved it deep in to the back of my mind, pulled out a cigarette and puffed away in total relaxation.
I do not want to go in to too much detail about the second half as we didn't create any chances that I can remember, and on the 88th minute Messi found the net again. 4-1 to Messi and co.
Now we all love the way Barcelona play football when they actually play football. But there is a side to them that I despise and that is the constant theatrics on the pitch. Messi Flying through the air as if he was just hit by car, Sergio rolling on the ground as if he was on fire only to jump up and play when Barca won the ball back. Credit to them though as they had the ref fooled for the whole game. What amazes me is that in the game I saw two or three yellow cards go to the Arsenal Players for a foul, only for Barca to commit the same foul but no cards being shown. Bias much? Or maybe he is German oh Wait.. What’s this? His name is Wolfgang Stark (Germany) hmmm ill say no more apart from He's a wh**********************e!
Bye bye Champions league. Now we must dust ourselves off and focus on the Spuds game next Wednesday. Hopefully most of our players will be well rested and be up for a fight to get those three valuable points. I have a feeling we will overtake the Mancs for second spot, and lets pray to the football gods that Chelscum drop points as well.
Until then gooners,
We're the North Bank!, we're the north bank!, we're the north bank high bury !!!!
Love you all Emirates Gooners, keep the faith.
Joseph Joshua
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