Arsenal - Villareal Return Leg

If the first leg was uneventful the second leg was even worse until some late game drama. The roles were completely reversed from the home leg as Arsenal did absolutely nothing to try to score in this game while Villareal owned the game in terms of every measurable aspect such as possession, shots, corner kicks, etc.

Credit has to be given to Villareal for really trying, and especially to the trio of Riquelme, Javi Venta and Guille Franco for generating most of the attempts at goal. With Riquelme in firm command of the middle, he often found Venta on the right side, who in turn crossed numerous times to Franco, who must have had what appeared to be 3 clear chances to score but couldn’t finish any of them.

On the other side, Arsenal was completely pathetic on just about every aspect except of course booting the ball back into Villareal’s half. The fact that Arsenal’s left side defense had been obliterated by first the absence of Senderos due to injury in leg 1 and now Flamini’s hamstring injury early on in this game probably explained some of Arsenal’s attitude. But I think the fact that a 0-0 draw would send them to their first ever Champions League Cup final was probably a more important determining factory in Wegner’s tactic of reverting to the pre EPLEnglish style of play. Even the formidable Henri looked like a greyhound restrained by a short leash. At halftime, Villareal owned a 56-44 advantage in possession and a 9-nil shot advantage. Arsenal, however, still owned a 900 or so minute streak of not allowing an opponent so score a goal.

This game unfolded as the classic game of attrition with one team hell-bent on scoring and one on not. As this progresses, the team in need of a goal is unable to get it, thwarted either by great goalkeeping or its own ineffective finishing. This just gets worse with the passage of time for both players and worse for the fans awaiting the miraculous moment.

This moment of apparent divine intervention occurred in the 89th minte, when late substitute and diver extraordinaire Jose Mari was awarded a spot kick after being mauled by Flamini's replacement, the young Frenchman Clichy. Let’s remember that this is the same Mari that had also being fouled in the area by Gilberto in the previous leg and had not been awarded a kick then. So maybe this was some kind of make up call. Close up shots of Riquelme as he was about to take the kick showed the fear common of a boxer about to enter the ring to get handed a beating by Mike Tyson (but then again Riquelme always has this look on his mug). I just had this sense that he would miss it. Lehmann guessed right and stoped the kick and any miracle comeback in the process.

Arsenal better play better than that to have any chance of capturing their first Champions League Cup against what now appear to be the clear favorites (either Barcelona or AC Milan). But I won't be able to watch that game, so I better stop here while I'm ahead.