So close yet so far
If you have read my previous post regarding Arsenal titled " What a Season" you may have deduced I am a sometimes frustrated fan. This year Arsenal reached The Champions League Final (for any cousins not living in Europe) this is THE biggest Football (cousins read 'Soccer') match in the World! (cousins read 'Europe'). And yep, you've guessed it time for my annual frustration!
Arsenal had performed above their domestic league form throughout the competition, in fact they remained unbeaten. They had also dismissed Real Madrid (admittedly they are on the wain) and Juventus (who were 'walking' the Italian league). Their opponents were to be Barcelona, no mean team themselves, and also unbeaten in this years competition. A final to wet any Football fans appetite - maybe even a few Spurs (cousins read Arsenals arch-rivals) fans!
The game started very well for Arsenal in fact our star man, the incomparable Thierry Henry, had to glorious chances inside the first 5 minutes. The game settled down a bit, both teams feeling their way into the game. After 18 minutes Ronaldinho (also it has to be said, pretty incomparable) played a ball through to Eto'o, the Arsenal keeper Lehmann came out, brought him Eto'o down, the ball ended up in the net, but the referee had whistled for a foul. The ref then produced a red card and Lehmann was sent off! Two choices were possible, allow the goal and book the keeper, or award a foul and send him off. Ref, you made the wrong decision! Down to 10 men against Barcelona, for 72 minutes! No chance right? Wrong!
After 42 mins Arsenal took the lead, a majestic header from Sol Campbell! Half time came, and after that ............. it all went wrong!
For me, and I obviously don't know what was said at halftime in the dressing room by the Manager, Arsenal then proceeded to try to defend a 1-0 lead, with 10 men against Barcelona, who were incidentally the favourites. It was not possible, dispite a superhuman effort by some players Barca won 2-1.
Another season over, a fantastic achievement to reach the final, only to stumble at the hands of the second choice referee, who made strange decisions throughout the night, in particular a booking for Thierry Henry. I hope FIFA are proud of themselves for coming up with such an inadequate choice of a referee.
Sorry it turned into a typical rant at the end but I did say it was frustrating......! Grrrrr
Still, next season is another chance for glory, and all I can say is......
"COME ON YOU GUNNERS!"
Arsenal had performed above their domestic league form throughout the competition, in fact they remained unbeaten. They had also dismissed Real Madrid (admittedly they are on the wain) and Juventus (who were 'walking' the Italian league). Their opponents were to be Barcelona, no mean team themselves, and also unbeaten in this years competition. A final to wet any Football fans appetite - maybe even a few Spurs (cousins read Arsenals arch-rivals) fans!
The game started very well for Arsenal in fact our star man, the incomparable Thierry Henry, had to glorious chances inside the first 5 minutes. The game settled down a bit, both teams feeling their way into the game. After 18 minutes Ronaldinho (also it has to be said, pretty incomparable) played a ball through to Eto'o, the Arsenal keeper Lehmann came out, brought him Eto'o down, the ball ended up in the net, but the referee had whistled for a foul. The ref then produced a red card and Lehmann was sent off! Two choices were possible, allow the goal and book the keeper, or award a foul and send him off. Ref, you made the wrong decision! Down to 10 men against Barcelona, for 72 minutes! No chance right? Wrong!
After 42 mins Arsenal took the lead, a majestic header from Sol Campbell! Half time came, and after that ............. it all went wrong!
For me, and I obviously don't know what was said at halftime in the dressing room by the Manager, Arsenal then proceeded to try to defend a 1-0 lead, with 10 men against Barcelona, who were incidentally the favourites. It was not possible, dispite a superhuman effort by some players Barca won 2-1.
Another season over, a fantastic achievement to reach the final, only to stumble at the hands of the second choice referee, who made strange decisions throughout the night, in particular a booking for Thierry Henry. I hope FIFA are proud of themselves for coming up with such an inadequate choice of a referee.
Sorry it turned into a typical rant at the end but I did say it was frustrating......! Grrrrr
Still, next season is another chance for glory, and all I can say is......
"COME ON YOU GUNNERS!"
posted by Stuey at 7:47 pm
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