Things to learn from the CL final
I thought well as an Gooner, I’d give my perspective (or as I would say it a taste of the medicine) of Utd’s defeat against Barca. Firstly, I think Vidic is past it, a geriatric if you must. He should never wear the Utd shirt again, he was shambolic in defence again. 3 red cards as well and he really is the player of the season. They could do with a player like Pique if they could afford him.
Park-ji-sung was easily inside Silvinho’s pocket. Carrick was so bad, I think they could do with a player like Denilson. He distributes the ball well, something like 80% passing accuracy and can set up goals as well as score the odd one. Not bad is it.
Berbatov massively overpriced, they could definitely do with a player like Adebayor. Apparently he scored as many goals as Torres. I think Utd needed a player like Gerrard, who could lift the side when they were losing etc etc. So, you see, the doom and gloom brand is not exclusive to Arsenal is it?
Normally a Champions League final that doesn’t include Arsenal will never generate that much interest among Arsenal fans. However, the match between Barcelona and Man Utd was not normal.
Firstly we had the opportunity to watch, lets be honest here, two good attacking teams (of course I can say this comfortably because Utd lost now but you get the point). The prospect of Chelsea-Utd again was not particularly exciting. Secondly Barcelona were playing with two Arsenal legends in Henry and Silvinho and an another Arsenal player in Hleb. Okay so Hleb didn’t even make the bench in the end but you get what I mean. And Barcelona play like us but better so yeah.
Now, I never was good at this thing called ‘tactics and it can be said with a great deal of confidence that a match between those two would have been akin to playing Chess. Not my game, too one dimensional for me. But that’s my opinion anyway. Not to say that however that a Barca-Utd final wouldn’t be as tactical.
If anything, Utd started better and should have scored at least 1 if not 2 goals. However Barca’s 1st goal which was their first real attempt that breaking the Utd defence knocked Utd completely. Exactly the same situation when Gibbs had that moment. Utd recovered of sorts, and tried to play again, but that passion, drive that is needed to win a game was desperately missing.
Iniesta and Xavi were immense. People talk about the trio Henry, Etoo and Messi but I am convinced they would not do as much if they didn’t have those two midfielders in their team. In fact those two were probably the reason why Spain won the Euro’s last year as well (not forgetting they had Senna behind them also). I rate them so highly I would offer Barcelona any 5 players from Arsenal,except Arshavin for those two.
Today I have come across some statistics that reveal Arsenal have made more passes than any other in the Premiership. Personally, I always feel keep the ball well and you won’t have to defend much. Barcelona are doing what Arsenal are and much better at that because their squad is far more experienced. For me it is a vision of what our boys can do and spur them to believe in their principles of playing possession football.
