Thursday, February 17, 2011

Will Arsenal pull off an upset at the Nou Camp?

Well Arsene Wenger certainly does. Following the Gunners sensational  2-1 victory Barcelona in the first leg tie between the two in the Champions League, the Frenchman now believes Arsenal finally has what it takes to beat the Spanish champions.

"Barcelona are still favourites," he was reported to have said. "But we know now we can beat them. We didn't know that last year. 

But at 2-1, one wonders just what sort of formation will be deployed against Barcelona in the second leg of the tie on March 8. Logically speaking, the game plan should be simple. Defend deep and hit Barca on the counter. But this is Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. It's a not team that's learned the finer arts in parking buses in front of goals. Remember that 4-4 with Newcastle two weeks ago? Had the team decided to adopt a more defensive strategy at some point during the second half of that match when they gradually began to lose their four goal cushion, they would have probably walked out of St James Park with all three points.

But this Arsenal and more importantly, this is Arsene Wenger's Arsenal and defending isn't part of the tactics practiced at the training ground. It has made Arsenal one of the most attractive footballing teams in the world and yet it has made it a club that's become a little barren in the trophy cabinet over the last few years.

So what will it be in three weeks? Will Wenger stick with his brand of attacking football or will he go negative to claim a famous victory?

1 comment:

  1. arsenal's high defensive line is the worry.. arsenal on form can bring the game to barca.. i am rooting for barca!!

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