Arsenal vs. Barcelona

2-2, Champions League Quarter-final, Emirates, 31/3 -10
Walcott 69,
Fabregas 85 (pen)

Due to the circumstances I'm pleased with the result, ahead of the game the hopes were to win and hopefully keep a clean sheet.
Lots of injuries for us, I will come back to that later.. Henry started on the bench but came in when there was approximately fifteen minutes to go.

In the first half we just got really lucky, Barcelona were by far the better team and we pretty much just defended, Almunia pulled off some great saves to keep us in the game, and it didn't make things easier when first Arshavin had to hobble off the pitch after 27 minutes, Eboue came on, Fabregas recieved a yellow card which means that he won't be playing on Nou Camp on Tuesday (not that it matters now anyway) and just before half time Gallas had to limp off due to his calf injury, it was a gamble to play him and the gamble didn't quite pay off, Denilson came in and Song moved back to partner Vermaelen in the heart of the defence.

Nightmare start to the second half when Ibrahimovic scored after some seconds, and he scored another before we started to play some real football.
When Walcott came in things really got started, at once he was running down that right flank and his pass almost reached Bendtner.
But just three minutes after he came on he went on to score, a great goal and a typical Walcott goal, he just ran towards the box and finished superb.
Then we started to put some real pressure on Barcelona, with Fabregas working as hard as ever, he showed great mentality after that yellow card and eventually all the hard work payed off, when Puyol locked his leg just as he was about to shoot penalty was awarded and Puyol was sent off.

Fabregas converted from the spot as he has done many times this season, but when he was picking up the ball from the net and started running back everything turned from perfect to horror, all of a sudden he just couldn't walk, but he refused to leave the pitch, and finished the game but not in a particulary good way, he just hobbled around, it didn't feel so reassuring, it is more fighting spirit than you can ask for, but it just shows how much he cares, and when Walcott put the ball towards him he threw himself after it, but couldn't reach it.

So we have quite a task in front of us, we have to win at Nou Camp or draw with at least 3 goals to qualify, but it will be enough to draw 2-2 if we're looking for more time or eventually penalties... And all this without players like Gallas, Arshavin, Fabregas, van Persie ..

Injury Update;
-Fabregas will miss the rest of the season due to a crack in his right fibula, huge blow for us, but he will not miss the world cup.
-Arshavin will be out for at least 3 weeks, the boss estimated him to be back for the Man City game.
-Gallas also risks missing out on the rest of the season due to a recurrence of his calf strain, at least 5 weeks out.
-Denilson and Clichy both recieved small knocks from the game but will be in the squad for the Wolves clash.