Barcelona 4 Arsenal 1: Magical Lionel Messi hits four
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Dani Alves belief Arsenal need a miracle to win at the Nou Camp
Dani Alves claim Arsenal need a miracle for the second leg at the Nou Camp
Barcelona vs Arsenal
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Channel 61 Football Frenzy : 2:45 am - (Wed Morning) (Live)
Champions League Quarter Final Game (2nd Leg)
BARCELONA full-back Dani Alves has enjoyed a cheeky pop at Arsenal, claiming they need a miracle to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
The Gunners go into Tuesday's second leg at the Nou Camp with the tie locked at 2-2 following their dramatic comeback on Wednesday. But after outplaying Arsene Wenger's men for the bulk of that match, Alves believes the Catalan giants will progress.
He said: "I have never played in a team that has created so many chances so early in a game. Only Manuel Almunia and a lot of luck spared Arsenal.
"We put on an exhibition and it is amazing to think that we drew the match.
"The final result left us feeling sore but we know the difference between us and them is huge and we are ready to confirm that in the second game.
"Nothing has been decided but Arsenal need a big miracle to get to the semi-finals."
While Barcelona will be without suspended centre-backs Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, Arsenal will miss Cesc Fabregas Andrei Arshavin and William Gallas through injury.
And Alves claims his team will be able to plug the gaps better than their opponents. He added: "Fabregas is a massive player for Arsenal and his absence could be decisive.
"Arshavin not playing will seriously damage their attacking options. It's a big problem for Wenger but a possible advantage for us.
"Both squads will be suffering from players not being available but I believe our squad will overcome these problems much more easily."
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Arsenal injury crisis mounts as Alex Song is ruled out of Barcelona Champions League clash
Blow: Song (being tackled) injured his groin against Wolves
Alex Song has been ruled out of Arsenal's Champions League showdown with Barcelona after failing to recover from a knee injury.
The Cameroon international was unable to train on Monday morning after damaging cartilage during the Gunners' last-gasp 1-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
It comes as another huge blow to Arsene Wenger, who was already without central defenders William Gallas and Johan Djourou.
ARSENAL SQUAD
Team (from): Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky, Walcott, Bendtner, Fabianski, Eduardo, Merida, Eastmond, Traore, Eboue, Silvestre.
The Arsenal boss said: 'It was a bad surprise this morning (Monday). He had a scan yesterday afternoon on his knee and it is inflamed cartilage.
'We will have to wait and see how serious it is but he is completely out of the squad for tomorrow's game.'
The Arsenal boss has fears about playing veteran Sol Campbell twice in four days.
Wenger left Campbell on the bench when Gallas was injured during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final rather than expose the 35-year-old to Barca's speed and mobility.
Dilemma: Wenger leads Arsenal training before flying to Barcelona
'That will be a decision I will have to make,' Wenger said on Campbell, whose
advancing years have led to careful management of his workload. 'We have to be conservative with him and see how he feels after today.'But there are now few options left as the European champions carry the advantage of away goals from 2-2 draw at the Emirates. Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre could partner Thomas Vermaelen, but Wenger is also mulling moving Bacary Sagna in from right back.
In the running: Campbell (left) could start after training with Nicklas Bendtner
Craig Eastmond, the 19-year-old who can play in defence or midfield, is expected to be part of Arsenal's squad, as is fellow rookie Fran Merida.
Wenger is also without Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie, though Barca are also without central defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique because of suspension.
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woah, nowadays even players play mind games.
anw, it's true that arsenal need a miracle to go through, but then dont forget miracle do exist in this world, esp in a football game.
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists: We're back from the dead and we can shock Barcelona in Nou Camp
Full of hope: Wenger on the eve of their clash with Barcelona
Arsene Wenger insists his depleted Arsenal team are ‘back from the dead’ and capable of shocking Barcelona in the Nou Camp tonight.
Alex Song did not travel to the Catalan capital for the Champions League quarter-final second leg after scans revealed a cartilage problem in his knee. He joins fellow absentees Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Andrey Arshavin and William Gallas.
Tomas Rosicky is rated 50-50 with a calf injury, and Sol Campbell is struggling with a hamstring problem.
Wenger said: ‘I have never had so many injuries before such a big game.’
But, after seeing his side recover from the ‘psychological impact’ of being outplayed for 45 minutes in the first leg and coming from two down to draw 2-2, the Arsenal manager has faith in his side to complete the job against the European champions.
Wenger said: ‘These players have come back from the dead once and can do it again. At 2-0 down I felt we needed a miracle but I always had hope. It’s Easter you know, a time of resurrection, and that’s what we want to do.’
Turning negative situations around has been a feature of Arsenal’s season, the latest incident coming against Wolves on Saturday, when Nicklas Bendtner scored a 94th-minute winner.
Injured: Alex Song has been ruled out of the Champions League against Barca
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola described his side’s first-half display at the Emirates as the best football his team had played in his two seasons in charge.
Fabregas said he had never faced a better team. But Barca did not score until after half-time and still failed to win.
Wenger said: ‘I don’t think we have ever been dominated so much at home but, if you look at the number of chances we created, it is interesting.
‘There was a psychological impact on us because we are so used to having the ball. We were victims of Barcelona’s reputation.
Late drama: Cesc Fabregas smashes home Arsenal's equaliser against Barcelona last week
‘When we managed to get through their passing, we always looked dangerous.’
Rosicky’s calf injury was sustained in the challenge from Wolves captain Karl Henry, for which Henry was sent off at the Emirates on Saturday. Wolves accused Rosicky of over-reacting, but Wenger said: ‘When you look at his calf, you can see the tackle was not as innocent as it looked.’Song will be replaced tonight by Campbell or Mikael Silvestre. Barca have Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique banned and Zlatan Ibrahimovic injured while Andres Iniesta may not be risked after a hamstring injury.
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its not going to happen dude. messi and co will massacre arsenal at Nou Camp, esp arsenal with no Fabregas.
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Wenger should send all his youngster for starting lineup, so if they lose it will not be so malu.
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nah wenger
dun tok so much -
wnger should stop messi and xavi from dominating the play in midfield. stop them and you may have a chance in counter attack. play walcott behind the striker, as he can exploit the holes when there is a counter attack.
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barcelona 2-1
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In my opinion, the absence of Song could prove costly for Arsenal.
I think Song has been the most improved player in the season. He has been a rock either protecting the back 4 or at defence. I'm sure Gunner's fan will sweat seeing Vermalen playing at the back with Silvestre with the injuries to Gallas and Campbell.
And without Song, there's no capable ball winners in the middle of the park.
Hopefully Barcelona will not run riot in this scenario.
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I hope Arsenal can really shock Barce and kick thier butts out of the CL... Strange things have happen before so, who knows... Maybe Barce reduce to 9 men in the first 30 mins?
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arsenal needs to be taught a lesson on beautiful and effective football and how to let your feet do the talking
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Starting Line Up
Barcelona
1. Valdes
2. Daniel Alves
4. Marquez
6. Xavi
10. Messi
11. Bojan
15. Keita
16. Busquets
17. Pedro
18. Milito
22. Abidal
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Starting Line Up
Arsenal
1. Almunia
2. Diaby
3. Sagna
5. Vermaelen
7. Rosicky
8. Nasri
14. Walcott
15. Denilson
18. Silvestre
22. Clichy
52. Bendtner
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Referee - Wolfgang Stark
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barce have all their youngster up front huh..
hoho! soon.
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Meanwhile at the other game
CSKA 0-1 Inter
agg CSKA 0-2 Inter
congratz to Inter for being the 1st team in the semi-final.
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yea holland man free kick very good...always see him score with FK
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you can bet Jose will be supporting Wenger for once, because his team will have a much better chance of going to the finals if it was Arsenal rather than Barcelona.
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hello!
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arsenal doing well to stop barce from playing their game
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guardiola rather start bojan than henry, give fans some entertainment also cannot
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siao liao, Nasri seem to be in great pain!
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woah, Arsenal giving away lot of free-kicks.
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WAH HO SEH LA
1-0 ARSENAL!!
