Arsenal Win, Barely .... Barca All But Out of UCL

It has been a jam-packed five days in European football with action across the leagues and the first legs of the Champions Leg semifinals yesterday and today. The biggest news to come out of the week so far is the 4-0 pounding that Barcelona took at the hands of Bayern Munich, a team that has been rising in stature for several years now and, with arguably the best defense in the world this season, looks set for a final showdown against either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund. This will be Bayern's third final in four years and one wonders if they can finally cross the finish line and win one, as their record in finals since the dominant 70s squad is abysmal. They did win a penalty shootout against Valencia in 2000-01, but otherwise have lost the other five finals since the 75-76 win. At the same time, It appears that we might be coming to the end of an era -- the Barcelona that was by far the best team in the world from 2005-06 until the 2011 UCL final (and one people argued was the best ever). Last season, of course, they ceded the title to Real and lost to a resilient Chelsea in the UCL semis. It was a disappointing final year for Guardiola, though he did finish with a cup win before choosing to exit the club. This year they have seemingly reclaimed the La Liga title, but that will be all unless they pull off a miracle in the second leg. While Barcelona could well have a bright future, they were beaten at their own game with Bayern looking the more creative team throughout. Barca looked a little old and a little ragged and lacked the energy, creativity and fight in the back necessary to victory. Any team with a healthy Messi will still compete at the very top of the game, and Xavi and Iniesta are still among the top midfielders in the world, but it appears time that Barca consider new options at the back and rejuvenate the team with some fresh blood that can respark their desire to take the top prize in European Club football.

As to Arsenal, another hard fought win, this time on the road at Craven Cottage, should have been a walk through after Steve Sidwell drew a red card for a reckless tackle in the 12th minute. Yet the Gunners played lethargically throughout, and relied on our two central defenders in scoring the only goal of the game. It was the first "jaded" performance in a while and one wonders what is wrong with this team psychologically at times, as they could have won the game easily with a little more drive and panache. Giroud was again below par, but it was really the midfield who failed to create any real chance, though I thought Ramsey played well yet again. The questions about Podolski remain, as he again only came off the bench, but will probably be called into action for the final four games as Giroud received a red and three game suspension late Saturday for topping the ball as a defender challenged him. It was a stupid play, but given our two goals in two games, it might be a blessing in disguise. Too often Arsenal rely on Giroud getting the ball down and out to a teammate on long goal kicks, and this strategy appears to fail more than it succeeds. The important thing at this point in the season is wins, though, and even a 1-0 win in a game we should have dominated will do. Next up is Manchester United, who won the title against Aston Villa on Monday, thanks in no small part to RVP, the 24 million pound signing that gave United the crown and Arsenal one of its worst seasons in memory. 

Arsenal, however, did get lucky in the second game Sunday after watching an impressive Tottenham comeback at White Heart Lane against Man City in the early slot. The latter was cruising up 1-0 with 15 minutes to go when the Spurs exploded for three goals in 7 minutes and wrapped up another three points. It was an impressive win for a team known for choking late in campaigns, again largely engineered by Gareth Bale (an assist on the first and the third goal). But in the second game, with mere second left in stoppage time, Luis Suarez put in a header that took two vital points from Chelsea right at the death. It was only what Liverpool deserved after a great second half, though Chelsea will wonder why Suarez was still on the pitch after biting, yes biting, Ivanovich. Suarez has now been suspended for 10 games, including the last four of the season, and one wonders if he can control himself in the future so that his talent and not his erratic behavior (this was the second biting incident, together with the racial abusing of Evra, the goal line hand ball against Ghana in the World Cup, the FA Cup goal he admit he handled, etc.) define the remainder of what could be a brilliant career. 

So the two dropped points against Everton have again put Arsenal on the back foot, though they remain in third place for the moment. A win over Manchester United Sunday could just about wrap up a place, assuming we do the necessary job against QPR, Wigan and Newcastle, but a loss could really put claiming a Champion's League place in jeopardy. COYG!