Arsenal 2-2 Barcelona: Nothing Special From Lionel Messi

Arsenal were able to hold title holders Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium yesterday in the Champion League; and though Lionel Messi did nothing too bad in the match, he was yet to be the Man of the Night.

Messi almost broke the deadlock early in the game when he struck a bullet shot from about 20 yards out, but Arsenal’s goalkeeper Almunia was on his guards and was quick to parry the ball away.

Messi then made several through balls for Dani Alves to cross, or for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to get the opener; yet, a great Arsenal defense was enough to keep the score line goalless in the beginning stages.

The 22-year old winger then shifted to the middle of the field, leaving his position on the wings to Pedro; but this change in the formation by Pep Guardiola proved to be unproductive.

In the second half, after Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two quick goals, Messi still wasn’t as much in the picture as he was against Stuttgart.

He could have increased the tally for his side when he shot into the legs of Almunia from a tight angle, but Arsenal resisted his attack.

Later on, two goals including a penalty from Cesc Fabregas following a red card for Carlos Puyol were enough to allow the Gunners to make a come-back, and in the end, it was Arsene Wenger who seemed to have won his prediction.

There was no special treatment from Arsenal toward Lionel Messi…

Isaac Asante, Footballfantalk.com