We often talk about turning points in matches, occasionally we even talk about turning points in a season. Sometimes we only can tell later if we were right to ascribe such a description. I don’t know if last nights game will turn out to be a turning point, but it certainly has many of the characteristics to be one.

Let’s be clear. Barcelona are the team against which every team is judged, and found wanting. I’ve seen a few exceptional teams over the years, and they are the best that I’ve seen. Last night they played well, very well. They can be criticised for not scoring more during the time when they were dominant, and for little else. At times their inter-passing is mesmerizing. As many have said, when they don’t have the ball that they are also exceptional. To say that they work hard to get the ball back is an understatement. The first half display was not as dominant as the first half of the game at the Emirates last season, but that was down to Arsenal, and the way we attacked them when we had the ball, and defended when we didn’t. Even then, although we too had our chances, it looked like they were just too good, and would win the game, and just about ensure reaching the quarterfinals.

The second half belonged to Arsenal. We wrested control away, and only gave it back intermittently. Despite our endeavours, our chances to score were few, and time was running out. Substitutions were made, and van Persie scored from an ‘impossible’ angle, the tide had turned and Barcelona were happy to try and hang on for the draw. Then a goal of some beauty, even though it looked as if the chance had all but gone, Nasri pulled the ball back and there was Arshavin hitting it first time past everyone and into the net.

It is only right that we celebrate, it is a famous victory, but I loved the way that Wenger and Fabregas took the victory, and pointed out that it is just halftime, and the job is not done yet. Going to Camp Nou with a slender advantage gives us an opportunity to progress to the next round, but Barcelona are formidable opponents, and we will have to play extremely well again to knock them out.

I’m sure that today the players are very tired, they had to put in a monumental effort. They also will feel pretty good, because their efforts paid off. Arsenal can be proud. We have beaten the best team in the world, and done so by playing football. It is amazing that we ‘only’ had some 30+% of the possession, yet managed to have more shots, and more on target too. We showed that we are able to mix our game, and transfer the ball forward more quickly than they did, to good effect.

All the players were impressive, even if they weren’t all at their best, but some should get special praise. Djourou and Koscielny were both very good, Koscielny grew into the game and was outstanding. In midfield Wilshere was our star. To play against the outstanding midfield players in world football, and to match them at 19 is exceptional.

It is only halftime. The game at Camp Nou will be very difficult, and I’m sure that there will be a titanic struggle for control. We may be knocked out, we may progress, but whichever it is Barcelona will know they have been in a game, and that they have been challenged in a way that few teams could even aspire to. Well done Arsenal.

Bring on Orient

Absolutely over the moon, stunning win!!

Love the ITV commentators comment last night when he said "Barcelona on the rack, I'll say it again Barcelona on the rack"

Sensational win last night. To be honest, my main concern beforehand was that there would be some sort of mistake from our younger/less experienced players (ie Wilshire, Szczesny, Koscielny). I never expected that they'd be our best performers. Still very apprehensive about the away fixture, but given they'll now also be missing Pique, you'd never know

My moment of the match was the battle of wits between Messi and Szczesny; Messi waited an eternity for the Pole to go to ground, and the Pole refused to hit the deck. He is the closest thing I've seen to a young Schmeichel in this respect; one on one with the attacker looking into the whites of his eyes, his presence is phenomenal. I say that without exaggeration.

Though a couple of weeks back I said Fabianski would reclaim the jersey when he's fit, actually, I really can't see it now. How many games has Szczesny played? About 12-13? Has he even made one error which legitimately led to a goal? I can't remember it. Usually there are nerves with a new GK and they need to prove themselves before fans really feel comfortable. But Szczcesny? Honestly, I feel none.

I am looking forward to watching his development.

Another extremely beneficial aspect to come out of this result is that, hopefully, when we are down against anyone else this season we should have the belief that we can get back into the game, and even win. We've displayed that already this season but not in this manner. We still face United and Liverpool at home and to keep apace with the former it is important we take maximum points.

The players must now really take great belief from this. It is a possible watershed moment. There will be some downs, sure, but the feeling that they have beaten this Barcelona team must be milked for everything it is worth in every match from hereon in.

That is spot on, Mike. I commented during the game the Clichy looked exposed and outnumbered. Yet I think now this was the result of two tactical calls by Wenger: first, you're right that Clichy was clearly instructed to come in narrow to squeeze the space against passes through the middle of our defence; second, Nasri maintained a position high up the pitch, trying to deter Alves from camping near our penalty box. It didn't always work, but for our second the phase starts with Nasri our most advanced player on the pitch, far ahead even of Van Persie. This allowed him to start the counter, and also to drag three Barca defenders with him deep into their own penalty box, which released Arshavin coming from quite far behind. I watched this goal so many times, it's a thing of beauty.

It was clearly a tactical ploy, which could have backfired, but paid off in the end. Wenger earned his money on this one

I was there last night and it was an awesome Arsenal night. One for the scrapbook.

What I really noticed, and I commented to my son it might happen at half time, is that I genuinely think that Barca were tired going into the last 20 minutes - we scored twice ....

It really is the case that our guys have to fight at full throttle for 90 minutes in every game in the PL. We are fitter and stronger per man over 90 minutes and it showed.

So....back to the Nous Camp. I was there last year.

I really do believe that we have a very real chance. Of course we will conceed and more than likley more than one goal. It will be foolish not to think otherwsie.

But, I really do think that if we can hold them to two goals by half time, we can win this over the two legs.

I would try and be a bit more cautious int he first half - maybe keep Walcott for the 2nd half when their legs are tiring and try and close down their lines. If he is fit, maybe Diaby can start in his place or else Denilson.

Then, we can pounce. It is so clear that Maxwell is terrified of Walcott and that Fab regas and Wilshere have more gas in the locker than Xavi and Iniesta.

We really can do this, I promise you!

I think this is part of the Barca system that not everyone appreciates.

1 They work their socks off to get the ball.
2 When they get it, either they go straight for the jugular (unusual) but only when the circumstances allow (for example against us at Camp Nou last season)
3 If not, they now pass it around in order to rest. This is how they recover from their extraordinary efforts to get the ball. Not only does it serve that purpose, it also starts to tire out the opposition, and also the opposition lose focus. Then they strike when they have had a rest and the opposition is getting tired and loses concentration. It is very effective. If they lose the ball when they try to break through, they chase and press like mad, the opponents are harried into making a mistake, and the whole cycle starts again.

We on the other hand work hard when we have the ball. The pace of the PL is part of that, so when we lose the ball, we cannot press so much, because we are knackered. We don't rest the way Batrca do when we have possession, and we look for, and are trying to find a way through all the time. We do tire out the opposition by our possession and that shows because we tend to score and dominate later in the game. Our possession is not so disciplined as Barca's because of the demands of the PL, and because we are not as patient, probably because we are younger. They only try to break through when they are ready, and don't worry about it if that doesn't happen for 5 minutes.

The possession that Barca have is their defence. They just happen to do it in the opponents half, with the ball. 90% of the time they lose the ball in the opponents half , and work like crazy to keep it there, and win it back.

What last night showed is that it is almost impossible to keep it up for 90 + minutes. Mostly they don't have to, but last night we managed to start keeping the ball, and bringing into their half, and they were uncomfortable with that. They are not used to opponents as good as us, and our quality of passing when we counter attacked was generally very good, and caused them huge problems, and led to the goals. They are not used to opponents who don't give them the ball back, and we really didn't offer them much easy possession in the 2nd half.

You are so right that the best team doesn't always win. My wife goes to bed when there is a late game on, it started at 21.45 here, and as she went she said 'may the best team win',as she normally does. This is the first time when I said 'I hope not, I want us to win'

I've watched that winning goal a few times and it's just so good. Better with watching. Good composure by Koscielny to bring it out. Threaded pass from Bendtner to Wilshere, just out of I think it was Xavi's reach. Instant touch up to Cesc who looks up and spots a really brilliant run by Nasri. You'd think he might go it alone from there but he's looking for that cut back all day and then just a great composed finish from Arshavin. It would have been easy to smash that over the bar from there.

I'm still watching that second goal. It was magnificent. Also, anyone hear the crowd after that goal went in?

WHO ARE YA? WHO ARE YA?

I laughed so hard.

Arseblog is reporting today that Xavi called the result a "footballing accident" rather than a slip-up. How condescending and arrogant is that? How anybody can deny that this man is a big idiot (as has been done in the La Liga-thread) is a miracle to me. Arseblogger doesn't provide a link, so if anybody could dig out the article it would be great. I have generally not read any reactions from the Barcelona camp so far. How did they react? Did Iniesta cry much?

Nah, had a quick look on Marca and As and that quote's not on there. Xavi's had an interview with As where he say's they didn't think they deserved to lose and that Arsenal took their chances and they didn't take their's, it was a great game and both teams played football as it should be played and it was a great spectacle for the fans etc... nothing to write home about really.

Marca has Guardiola taking the first training session after the game and he's got them huddled up for a 10 minute "Pep" talk before training starts, then he has a one to one with Messi, also to gee him up for the games to come, no Puyol still, he's working on his fitness in the Gym and they are doing all they can to get him ready for the second leg and no Villa either, he's got a small niggle which isn't a major worry.

Its from this article from sid lowe

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/18/barcelona-arsenal

Not surprised Arseblog doesn't source it, its not as controversial when its actually read in context

Still can't believe Arshavin scored that goal, he has had a numerous chances this season in the same position and it went over the bar and into the stands or out of the stadiu1 Watching the ITV highlights of the goal and the commentary is so annoying "Arsenal score a Barcelona goal" ... ummm we scores goals like that most other weekends.

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada10-11/02/17/n110217115794.html

- Xavi was the player who made most passes – 116 –more than Cesc (38). Wilshere (42) and Nasri (36) put together.

- By the 60th minute, the Barça players had put together 412 passes, whilst Arsenal had managed only 203.

- Barça dominated possession with 63%.

- For once, it wasn’t a Barça player who won back most possession – it was the Arsenal centre half Koscielny (17).

- The impressive record that no non-English team has ever won at the Emirates continues intact.

- In three of the five ties that Barça have lost 2-1 away, they have progressed in the competition; the last time it happened was in 1970 when they saw off Ipswich Town 1-0 at the Nou Camp.

- Valdés and Iniesta were the only two players left from the Barça team that lined up against Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League Final in Paris.

- Villa scored his 11th European goal on his 50th European appearance.

- Messi has still to score in England after a harsh offside decision robbed him of a goal on Wednesday.

- Piqué , who was the only Barça player under threat, will miss the return game after his yellow card on 58 minutes.

Some interesting stats taken from the Barca site, there were also players quote's about the game, but cannot find them now.