Rise Of The Gunners!!!

It’s the special time of year for all soccer fans interested in the European soccer version of the NFL Playoffs:  The Knockout Rounds.  En route to being crowned champions of Europe, only the best of the best remain.  In my humble opinion, this is the time of year when the best football cross continent will be on display.  No atmosphere quite like it.  Two games, one at your place, one at mine. (for the gentleman’s sport) Goal leader advances.  Of course, away goals take precedence over home goals, and if for some reason on all accounts the scores are tied at the end of regulation of the two games, two overtime periods are played, followed by a penalty shoot out.  Some of soccer’s finest moments.  (I can recall celebrating in forced silence in the Stadio Olympico also known as Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy back in 2009 when Arsenal silenced the crowd by winning the penalty shootout.  Roman fans attacked the visiting side's bus after the game to express their displeasure and needless to say several fights ensued.)  However in this particular article, I’d like to shift your attention to a match-up set to begin this week between two of European Soccer’s most storied clubs:  Arsenal FC vs. Barcelona FC. It represents a classic and historical clash of the north and south:  Englishmen vs. Spaniards.  Catalans vs. Londoners.  Gunners vs. la Blaugrana  Its everything and it means advancing yet deeper into the European tournament to claim one of soccer’s most coveted titles:  The UEFA Champions League Crown.  

In Spain, very little can be said to argue the point that the Catalan squad is not “Mas que un club.”  Barcelona lead La Liga, the top Spanish league over arch rivals Real Madrid by a comfortable margin looking to repeat as champions and are on par to capture the Kings Cup (Spanish Tournament for all teams in Spain) once more.  This year it has been said that they have arguably played some of the best football ever seen (on planet Earth) and that their team is capable of great things.  Their 4-3-3 formation consisting of the world’s best player, Leo Messi, is complimented by an array of teammates who captured the World Cup title last year including David Villa, Xavi the Great(more valuable than Messi in my opinion), Inesta, Carlos Puyol, and others.  Guided by future hall of fame coach Pepe Guardiola, the Spaniards are a juggernaut of a team, almost too much for any to handle.  Technically proficient, lightning speed, and bruising defense make this team almost impossible to beat.  That is unless your name is David Trezeguet (who has never lost in the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s home stadium, in his entire career).    Needless to say, Barcelona remains ever dangerous and ever a threat to any club’s campaign to challenge for the European title. 

Meanwhile, as the classic tale of David vs. Goliath unfolds, in the other corner stands Arsenal.  A club that has finished in the top four in the English Premier League over the past few years.  With a youthful team that has managed to avoid the pitfalls that injury can inflict, Arsenal currently sit in second place, five points behind nemesis Manchester United.  While they have little in the form of championship hardware to boast of in recent years, Arsenal do however boast a host of young talent that is proving to provide some of the most entertaining and high paced football shown by the club in seasons past.  The 4-2-3-1 formation they prefer is led by Cesc Fabregas (also apart of the 2010 World Cup Winner for Spain).  Arsenal also boasts the young talents of Robin Van Persie, Andrey Arshavin, and speedster Theo Walcott.  These youngsters are entertaining to watch and keep matches high paced until the final whistle.

Last year in the UEFA Champion’s League Tournament, they met with la Blaugrana taking victory by a 6-3 aggregate score.  After drawing even 2-2 in the home game at Arsenal, Leo Messi administered a 4-goal clinic as Barcelona defeated Arsenal 4-1 in the second game. 

As I anticipated the drawing for upcoming matches to be relayed for the knockout rounds, I only had one thought.  NOT BARCELONA.  But upon my return, I was not at all surprised to see that Barcelona were exactly the team we drew.  Now, having accepted the reality, I begin to swell with anticipation to the answer to the question:  Is it now time that the Young Gunners took the helm and assumed control of the mantle that is the Champion’s League? 

I am reminded of the epic clash in Star Wars between a young Anakin Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi.  “When at first we met, I was but the learner….”   In the movie, many years had passed and at their next duel, Obi-wan was a withering old man who was easily dispatched by a well oiled machine in now Darth Vader.  But having been defeated only a year previous, is Anakin that much better, wiser, and stronger?  In a rematch, one year after having been defeated, could he truly pose the threat that Darth Vader posed to an old and withered Obi-wan Kenobi?  I don’t think that’s truly the case, but of last year’s Arsenal squad you must consider these factors:

·         Leading scorer Robin Van Persie did not play due to season ending injury

·         Speedster Theo Walcot was absent

·         Arsenal are scoring far more goals this season

·         TACTICS WILL BE DIFFERENT!!!!

Considering that fear no longer will factor into the march back into the Camp Nou(hopefully) and that its never over till its over, I feel slightly confident if not sure that we can provide adequate competition and squeek out one of the biggest upsets in soccer history. 

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