Wenger might have branded it as a game for the purists when the draws were out two weeks ago. But it was well an truly a no-contest with a foregone conclusion. With all due respect to Arsenal that is. Barcelona displayed the stuff of pure class to rake up a 6-3 aggregate at the end of two legs. Arsenal laboured for the most part without much success. Most pundits and critics rave about the magic Barcelona can work when in possession of the ball. But the real cutting-edge is what they are when they don't have it. That's what illustrated the gulf in class between the two teams. Arsenal were given precious little space to work with when they had the ball. They were closed down, the gaps plugged and the ball quickly retrieved. Sadly, there was only one team capable of doing that over two legs.
Ironically, the smallest man on the pitch was head and shoulders above the rest through all of the 90 minutes of the second leg. Lionel Messi, with four goals of distinctive character, including one that reeked of ruthless demeanour. There was glimmer of hope when Arsenal went ahead against the run of play. A brisk counter attack engineered by Abou Diaby and finished off by Nicklas Bendtner. But that proved to be a false dawn, vindicated by a 21-minute three-goal salvo from Messi that ensued minutes later. No shame in defeat however. Arsenal played out of their skin but within their limitations. Sadly for Wenger, these limitations will quicky translate as flaws, now that another possible shot at silverware has been spurned. Such is the nature of this game. Sublime, yet cruel.
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