OT: F.C. Barcelona vs. Arsenal F.C.
I don't have Fox Soccer Channel, but I saw that FSN Detroit will be broadcasting the game and I was excited enough to create this thread. If anyone is reading this and thinking, "Soccer? that's lame," you should switch over to FSN and see the light. It doesn't get too much better than this.
A lot of great players from both clubs are out due to injury or suspension. I'll be rooting for Barcelona (and they've got to be the favorites), but it won't be easy for them without Puyol, Piqué, or Ibrahimović. (EDIT: or maybe it will be!)
Discuss.
Being a ManU fan, I like watching Arsenal lose.
myself, I am terrified for tomorrow. No Rooney and we need either a 1-0 win or a 2 goal win.
Just wondering:
Who do you think was the best Man U player, for the time he put into the team, in Man U history:
Duncan Edwards
George Best
Peter Schmeichel
Eric Cantona
Ryan Giggs.
??
Bobby Charlton? Leading goal scorer and second most appearances. Also captain for 7 years. You can't discount what Beckham did for the international popularity of the team/sport, at least here in the United States. Duncan Edwards? Sure he was a solid young player but died well before his prime. Giggs and Best are both considered two of the best but its so hard to compare eras of players.
Of your list, I'll go with Best, but I think Charlton is a good pick as well. Rooney could turn out better than all of them tho
Had to draw the line at some point, unfortunately, Charlton and Beckham are outside the top 5.
Beckham would never have had the outlet to do what he did without Roy Keane, Giggs and Scholes, and Gary Neville on the overlap. But he was a very fine cog.
I think the best, pound for pound, is Giggs. Near 20 years in the first team, with all his medals, is simply staggering.
I would say Eric Cantona just for being who he was/is. I also enjoyed the joba bonito commercials he was in. I am not a Man U fan, so it might not mean much coming from me.
The only thing worse than watching soccer is watching....come to think of it, nothing is worse.
I'll have a copy of that sent right over to you. Kthnx.
I would say watching baseball.
I was going to go for the NBA.
Anyone who would say this has obviously never seen Messi play
It wont be easy (to say the least), but here's hoping after last nights disappointment the underdog can prevail
Gunners all the way!
Barcelona was without 3/4 of their first-choice defense in the Champions' League final last year and they throttled Man U.
They've given up a total of 8 goals at home this season.
They'll be fine tonight. Marquez and Milito will just have to play a little deeper.
Arsenal is playing Mikael freaking Silvestre in defense tonight, for crying out loud.
My prediction: Barcelona 3 - Arsenal 2.
My Streak for the Cash pick says Barcelona by 2 or more goals.
My Arsenal obsession is second only to my Michigan obsession but I fear for the Gunners tonight. You could practically win the World Cup with the players Arsenal have out injured: Fabregas, Van Persie, Arshavin, Gallas, etc. But even if we were at full strength, we're still outclassed by this Barca squad.
But still there's always hope. Crazy shit can happen.
I'm at work with no FSC so I'll be searching for a live stream. If anyone knows of one, please post.
the ancient corpse of Sol Campbell and the ancient corpse of Mikael Silvestre.....oh my poor Gunners.
got a link for those of us at work?
I just want to see a good game. Even Torres claimed he hopes Arsenal pulls out the victory in the Prem League.
For me, the next month will be agonizing as Pool is down five points to Man City for 4th spot, and they have a game in hand.
Why do I like sports?
Barca's missing a lot of key players. Ibrahimovic, Iniesta, and Puyol are all out. They still should probably win but those missing players should make it close. As a Madrid fan, I'm hoping those players are still out for El Clasico on Sunday.
Walcott did everything he could to blow a 2-on-0. Please, by all means, bring him to the World Cup
Bendtner on a spilled rebound of his own ugly shot.
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arsenal is my favorite team in the EPL, but I just don't see any way they pull this out without Fabregas. Many people know that he can score goals as he is leading the team (RVP has been out a while) but many people don't know that he is leading the EPL in assists. Without his multi-dimensional play I think the offense will stall.
To further that point, I think this Barcelona team is by far the best in the world. Even without their two world-class center defensemen playing (Pique and Puyol) I think they are superior to Arsenal.
sheeeeeeeeeeeet
Messi.
3-3 Aggregate
Arsenal better get going because tie breaker is determined by away goals.
but without fabregas i dont think they have a shot. my reason for pulling for arsenal is that i have a bunch of barca fans and i cant stand em after they beat man utd last year. much better start for this game for arsenal than last game. last game it was a constant barrage and this game arsenal actually drew first blood.
But Barca is....mes de un equipo.
Vive les Gunners !
Walcott will look great playing for Barcelona, Madrid, or Juventus in about 3 years' time.
... Man, Messi strikes fear in my heart.
Edit: And that's why. 2-1
Re-edit: And that's why. 3-1
Final-edit: You've got to be fucking kidding me. 4-1.
just too good
Whistle should have blown.
Can anyone tell me how Bojan is playing in place of Zlatan.
I think he's on the bench and could play if needed but I think they're trying to make sure he's fit for Real Madrid this weekend.
He's playing because Ibrahimovic is injured. He's faring alright, not blowing people away like the next superstar that he's supposed to be.
Then again, he doesn't need to be today as Arsenal are getting rolled from all sides on defense.
I just wanted to know how he was doing in place of Zlatan. I think many people are waiting from him to break out and become a star.
I'm still confused as to why they sold Eto. My friend said that he thinks Pep is racist. He pointed to selling Eto when he was a top scorer and also Yaya Toure and other Africans falling out of favor for no reason. That is all speculation so I don't read into it all that much.
defense from Arsenal, letting that attack build.
Actually, upon further review that was pretty damn unlucky that the ball dropped right where no Arsenal players were and conveniently right where Messi was charging.
His legend continues to grow
First half hat trick for Messi.
messi is great but a hat trick in the FIRST HALF? dam. great pass 2 him and nice touch on the shot.
That about does it for the Gunners. I don't think they can get 2 goals in the remaining time, while holding Barca to none.
I guess Ars will get to focus on the Premiership now. Oh wait, they already blew that with the draw against Birmingham.
Sigh....
That draw sucked. They have to win out and hope Chelsea drops one and/or has a couple of unexpected draws to even have a chance.
is killing them, because not only do they have to win out, but most likely have both Chelsea and Man U drop points TWICE (unless Man U loses a game). That's a lot to hope for with so few games left.
This has to be one of the greatest individual career runs in any sport..
Not even Lebron is this dominant!
best player in the world. He has been playing great for the last two years. Can't wait to see Manchester City next year in the champions league.