The Game

It doesn’t get any bigger than this. Arsenal host Barcelona at the Emirates for what could easily be the dream of every football lover as two of the most fascinating Europeans teams clash in the quarter-final first-leg of the Champions League. Captain Cesc Fabregas and William Gallas are both in the starting line-up.

Finally, if you want, please do join the discussion in our chat room which will also be active after the full time whistle.

Streaming Links

For those who don’t know where to watch the game, maybe we can help, follow this link for streaming options.

The Line-Ups

Arsenal

Almunia, Clichy, Vermaelen, Gallas, Sagna, Diaby, Song, Fabregas, Arshavin, Bendtner, Nasri

Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Eduardo, Walcott, Denilson, Eboue, Campbell

Barcelona

Valdes, Maxwell, Puyol, Pique, Alves, Xavi, Busquets, Keita, Pedro, Ibrahimovic, Messi

Subs: Pinto, Marquez, Bojan, Henry, Milito, Toure Yaya, Jeffren

Half-Time Thoughts and Analysis

Well, I would be clearly going insane If I say that the goalless draw at the end of the first 45 minutes is a fair now. From hero to zero, Manuel Almunia made sure we go at half time with the score 0-0 instead of 0-3 or maybe more.

I knew Barcelona were a better team but I never expected them to have 70%+ possession in the first half, that’s way too much. As if being outclassed wasn’t enough, Andrey Arshavin and William Gallas were both replaced following injuries and Cesc Fabregas will miss the 2nd leg at the Nou Camp, heartbreaking for the captain.

Anyway, thanks to Manuel we are still goalless with 45 minutes to go. At half time, it’s Arsenal nil, Barcelona nil.