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Looked like the harassment was mostly between the Barcelona players and Van Persie. The Barca player you can see running over(Iniesta I believe) was reaching over the help Wilshire up. Maybe I missed something, I don't recall seeing a good angle of what transpired between the whistle and Eric Abidal attempting a chokehold.
Always want to see the best each team has to offer and it is a shame he got his second yellow in such a crappy way. I bet he feels like a fool for picking up such a silly yellow(which could have easily been red) in the first half.My TV had an annoying audio delay the whole time, I didn't even hear the whistle before he shot. He was clearly not trying to waste time. I don't get how he could have pulled the yellow on that, unless he warned him for time wasting before or something.
I think he had a great game defensively and did a good job of breaking up anything Arsenal had before it could get anything and protect the back-line. The team loses a lot with him as DM instead of Busquets, because Busquets is a much better passer. I think Masch did pass better than he has most of the season in that role.
I thought he was overrated when he played for Liverpool. Never understood why Barca grabbed him.
What do you mean? How do you want me to post?
Then how will you know that he's a fan of Leonard Messi
I have to agree here.Most of the pieces are there, but they're still a few key moves away. For me, the player that Arsenal missed more than any other today was Thomas Vermaelen. Put Vermaelen and Koscielny together in the back and I think Arsenal have a chance. I've been very critical of Djorou for years, and to his credit, he's been better this season - but he was woefully exposed today. He was horrific.I think that the bottom line is really what Christo says here. They're not gritty enough to grind out a 38-game season title over a team like United, and they're not "pretty" enough to beat a team like Barcelona at its own game. I realize that you don't need to be the best team in Europe to win silverware, and obviously Arsenal will have their moments and probably win a title here or there - but barring some major additions, I really don't see it happening in the next 2-3 seasons, especially with Man City and Spurs on the rise.
All Arsenal had to do was hold on at that point. Completely altered the outcome of the game. Maddening.
Honestly, I never thought I'd say this so soon, but I really don't think losing Cesc will be as big a blow as many think. Yes, Cesc is the captain and that's inherently tough to replace, but Wilshere is the future of the center midfield. I haven't been this excited about an Arsenal player possibly ever. He's a bit of a hothead now, but the skill level is there. A healthy Alex Song is, for my money, one of the best holding midfielders in the world, and Wilshere would, I think, take the place of Cesc just fine. Toss in Diaby and Ramsey off the bench, and I really think Arsenal are fine. Obviously it's not a seamless transition, it never is when you lose a captain....but if you made the same comment in August 2010, I would've lamented and agreed with you completely. 7 months later and my mindset has changed 180 degrees.They may not have a world-class MF other than Fabregas, but their midfield is probably the strongest part of their lineup. Nasri has established himself as a superstar this season, Wilshere has shown a ton of promise, I've already said how I feel about Song, we all know what Arshavin and Walcott can do on the wings, Rosicky is a good-leadership vet, and Diaby and Ramsey are more than capable.I would be surprised, though, if Arsenal didn't go after another midfielder if Cesc were to leave.
We'll never know, but I don't think they would've held on. The entire game felt to me like US/Brazil from Confederations Cup 2009 - on the edge of my seat with dread in the pit of my stomach for the whole thing, just knowing it wasn't going to end well, even when Arsenal had the scoreline advantage.
Easier said than done...Barca had completely dominated play the entire match. It looked like they had a man (or 2) advantage even before the sending off, and imo Arsenal was lucky that at least 1 other player (forget the name at the moment) didn't get a second yellow as well. It was no doubt a bad call, but it certainly felt like only a matter of time before Barca scored anyway. Van Persie shouldn't have gotten himself that stupid first yellow and it wouldn't have been an issue!
I actually thought Koscielny could've (and perhaps should've) picked up a second yellow himself in the 51st for picking the ball out of the net and punting it after the Busquets own goal.
I caught the second half replay on Fox Deportes and about halfway through the half when Fabregas challenged for a ball, the announcers joked, "Hey, Fabregas is playing this half!" And that giveaway for the first goal was awful. If he was trying to convince Barcelona to break the bank for him this summer, he sure went about it the wrong way. I'm also not sure his temperament would fit at Barcelona - he still has some maturing to do.From what I saw on TV, the comments about Mascherano are spot on. His skills are not necessary for the most part with the way Barcelona plays, and Busquets fits better as the holding midfielder. It was a nice tackle on Bendtner at the end, though. Couldn't believe he got that open. Thank goodness his first touch was lousy.Shocked to see Arsenal unable to muster a single attempt on goal. Even before the red card they were really on the back foot. Almunia had a very good game and Barcelona's finishing was sub-par. Villa should have scored a few today. Regardless, glad to see the Blaugrana through, especially without Puyol and Pique.
I thought that was really bizarre. What the hell was he thinking there?
No idea, but it was a really wacky end to a wacky goal.Did you see how high Diaby got on that corner? The dude straight elevated a full head above the Barça defenders (although he mistimed it a bit).
Really? You guys have never seen a player punt the ball like that after a big goal? Most of the time they rifle back into the net, but sometimes not.
... regardless of Cesc's blunder. I dont' think Messi lost the ball once on the day- such strength and balance to go with that godly touch. Iniesta and Xavi too... Pedro too... pretty much the whole team too.
Whoa. Never heard of the kid- amazing stuff on that link.
Not sure I agree that it's the easiest, though it is certainly easier than Mexico's group. I think Honduras has it the easiest.All four of the teams in Group C got out of the group stage at the last Gold Cup. The US should still top the group, but Canada played them tough two years ago and Guadeloupe is no joke.(Note for those who don't know: Guadeloupe is a member of CONCACAF but not FIFA, which is why they're never in the WCQ)
Agree with Ted.Canada didn't just play them tough- they were jobbed (IIRC, a PK that didn't get called) and deserved to win. I don't get why Canada can't get their act together at the national scale- lots of talent, who also have work papers (pretty sure about that) built in to play in England?
So is this like a day-night doubleheader with two different sets of admissions?
I don't think we have seen their best, not by a long shot.I generally like the makeup of the team, and I look forward to watching Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott for years to come. Even when they fall short, they are a fun and exciting team to watch, partially because they are always infusing youth into the squad. One of these seasons, it will click again with an EPL title and/or a run at the Champions league title. Until then, I'm fine with enjoying the ride.
I don't think we have seen their best, not by a long shot.I generally like the makeup of the team, and I look forward to watching Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott for years to come. Even when they fall short, they are a fun and exciting team to watch, partially because they are always infusing youth into the squad. One of these seasons, it will click again with an EPL title and/or a run at the Champions league title. Until then, I'm fine with enjoying the ride.
I agree that they've got a lot of great young talent. And Wenger seems to keep finding them. He should get a ton of credit for getting his players to play attractive, attacking soccer- and they'll always be fun to watch.But I don't know about them getting "better". Christo keeps pointing out what doesn't really need pointing out- they lack the grit and fight defensively to be at the next level. When they had their unbeaten run (wth Henry, et al) they also had some gritty, leg-breaking- and IIRC- English defenders of the old school (Keown?) to go with players like Pettit who could also beat you off the dribble and set up the attack with his vision and touch. The game has changed... a bit... but they still need two center backs who can dominate and intimidate.. and maybe not be so pretty about it.
Usually it is a single ticket for both games. They know some of the early round games would never sell as a stand alone game.'JaxBill said:
Chicharito is best coming off the bench with some spot starts here and there. Rafael is ready to start and has been doing a great job on the right. His health has been an issue. He is also a bit young and reckless but he is their right back and head and shoulders above oshea and brown. I am happy to go into a year with Smalling and Vidic in the center with Rio splitting time with Smalling. Keep Rio healthy playing him in bigger games and let Smalling play the minnows until he is ready for the BIG stage.The depth is there. Keep in mind Valencia, Anderson and Park have been hurt. Park has excellent work rate and does well on the left when called on. I am not a fan but he wont hurt you and works hard. Even if Giggs is older, as your 4th outside midfielder, the depth is there. Valencia's return helps tremendously.I do agree that the youth is ok and needs to grow quickly, esp witht he ages of giggs, scholes, etc. Keeper is a position that needs to be addressed with VDS retiring. The new guy Lindegaard could be great, but i do think they bring someone else in to compete.'jonessed said:They lack depth in almost every positon but forward and their youth players are OK at best. Rafael and Chicarito are good, but they aren't ready to start regularly (Chicarito might be able to, but Rafael clearly isn't). The rest are pretty mediocre.You need more than a center midfielder in the starting 11 as well. You need a keeper and a center back. Rio is lucky if he makes it through half a season (not his fault though, he's 34). I guess you can go to Smalling, but I really don't think he is ready either.Edit: I also think the way the Glazer's financed the team there are going to be some serious problems going forward. The team has massive debt. There is no way they can keep up with City and Chelsea in the spending department. The UEFA "fair play" rules may curtail it a bit, but under those circumstances no English team will be able to compete with the likes of AC Milan, Inter, Barca, or Real. Their cable rights simply net them too much money.'B Maverick said:United and Chelsea dont rebuild, they reload!!!'jonessed said:United needs a center midfielder to take over: cantona, keene, scholes, who? Can carrick regain is 2009-2010 form and be that guy? Do they need to get someone on the market? Can Anderson learn to pass and take control?Other then that they do not have any real holes in their starting 11, but they do need depth, esp behind Scholes and Rio. Rafael, Vidic, Rio, Evra (with Smalling as the inside replacement)Valencia, ??, ??, NaniBerbatov, Rooney (and Chicharito)Center Mid and they are still rolling.....Athough I was rooting for Barca, it is sad to see Arsenal or any team get the shaft like that. BUT i have to ask how far from goal was van Persie when he shot? If he was more then 25 out then I can see the refs point. If he was in a true shooting range then he has a point. Although if he was way out of goal, i dont think it would be worthy of a 2nd yellow, esp given the magnitude of thegame, the place, etc.
If thats the case then the card is definitely undeserved. Anyone else feel like the refs are trying to be Leslie Nielson in Naked Gun and all too often becoming the center of attention?'Christo said:He was inside the box.'B Maverick said:United and Chelsea dont rebuild, they reload!!!'jonessed said:
The criticisms are just.However, Alex Song has been a game changer for Arsenal this season and is the grit in the middle of the park that they need. Unfortunately, he was unavailable yesterday. Should they get tougher at the back, absolutely, but keep in mind that their most physical center half, Thomas Vermaelen, has been out almost the entire season. I honestly think that Alex Song alone would have made a huge difference in the match yesterday. And no, I'm not saying that they win in any case, but rather that they would have won more of the 50/50 balls and ultimately had more time on the ball.Lastly, maybe they won't ever be better than they are right now, but a consistent run of top 4 in the EPL and knockout stages of the Champions league is pretty good. There are no signs that they are headed in the opposite direction, so I remain hopeful that one season, not far from now, everything clicks.'El Floppo said:
Oh cool. I may look for the DC Chi game online if I can find it. Thanks for the tip.Are you going to the games tonight?Wednesday Night matchesC v ChicagoCharleston v Toronto
I believe this is going to change in coming years. Once Montreal enters MLS next season, there will be 3 Canadian teams in MLS. Lots more opportunity for Canadian nationals than can be had on stateside MLS teams (the roster rules are different for the Canadian sides).'El Floppo said:
I'll be there. First game is at 5 and the second starts around 7:15. Per weather.com the forecast from 5pm to 8pm shows Windy and 10% chance of rain, the 9pm forecast shows 85% chance of thunderstorms. I'm thinking the second half of the second game might get messy.Oh cool. I may look for the DC Chi game online if I can find it. Thanks for the tip.Are you going to the games tonight?Wednesday Night matches
The Italians are starting to show their frustrations, which is good for Spurs. Spurs have also had more of the ball this half.
Spurs are waiting for the game to end which is never a good sign. If Milan scores they aren't going to be able to turn it back on.Ugh... I would rather see Defoe.
