DEFENDING champion Barcelona stamped their class and superiority against Arsenal and should have an easy task in the second-leg at Nou Camp after taking a 2-0 lead but they fail to utilise the opportunity allowing the home side to claw back and draw level 2-2 in the Champions League 1st-leg-quarterfinal at the Emirates Stadium last night.
Arsenal never really settle down as the marauding Barca relentessly made their opponent looks like a pale shadow of themselves as the visitor tormented the home defence like shred and should have easily made it 5-0 in the first quarter but must thanks their lucky stars they survived.
Manuel Almunia perform beyond expectation as he made some magnificent saves to keep his side at bay for a scoreless first half. But as usual the goalkeeper tend to let in an unexpected easy goal as it shows in the second-half. Two costly error by the goalkeeper saw the visitor took a 2-0 lead with both goal coming from the Swedish international, Ibrahimovic.
From then on it looks like the score to remain until the return-leg with the visitors total domination to confirm their place in the semi-final. But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has other idea as he brought in young Theo Wallcot for Samir Nasri.
The England international made his presence felt to turn the match around when he scored Arsenal's opening goal. The goal brought huge relief to the Arsenal's crowd and confident for the home side to battle and tried to save the match.
They found the much needed equaliser through captain Cesc Fabregas from a well taken spot-kick but he injured his knee in the process. The referee pointed to the spot as he adjudge the Barca skipper Carlos Puyol for bringing down Fabregas recklessly in the six-yard box and later was flashed a straight red card.
For Arsenal they will be without Fabregas for the trip at Nou Camp for recieveing his second yellow. The Gunners also definitely lose another two key players Andre Arshavin and Gallas while Barca will be missing defenders Gerard Pique also for the same offence and Puyol for his red card.
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