I watched two very different games over the weekend. Firstly I watched Arsenal throw away a two goal lead at West Ham to draw 2-2. The second game I watched was Barcelona’s 6-1 hammering of Real Zaragoza in the Nou Camp.
Similar styles
In an article I wrote earlier this season I compared Arsenal’s style of play to the European champions. I also wrote in that article that the Gunners don’t quite have the same quality of player. On their day the Gunners attacking play is almost as good as the Spanish sides but they just lack a key component.
Difference
The big difference between the two sides is the ruthlessness that Barcelona possess. Arsenal have this tendency to shot themselves in the foot. Their soft underbelly or glass-chin as one commentator called it has cost them dearly in recent weeks and months.
This softness has resulted in Arsene Wenger’s side not winning a trophy in four years. This season they have suffered defeats at Manchester United and Manchester City when they could have easily taken three points. Its this lack of ruthlessness that will mean the Premier League title will evade the Gunners for another season.
A hard centre
The so called ‘invincibles’ of Arsenal were always ruthless. A crucial part of that team was the hard-tacking and tenacious Patrick Vieira. At times he was too tough tackling but he added steel to a team full of skillful players. However he was also a box to box player and was handy at grabbing the odd goal.
Barcelona have a hard centre in excellent midfielder Seydou Keita. The Malian international is a superb box to box player, in the same mould as the Frenchman in his prime. He got his reward for all his tracking back against Zaragoza as he scored helped himself to a hat-trick.
Keita has even displaced another top defensive midfielder Yaya Toure in the starting line-up. With Keita in the team Pep Guardiola has been allowed to push Andres Iniesta into a more forward position were he can supply the likes of Leo Messi, Xavi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the ball.
Solid centre needed
Arsenal don’t have that tough defensive midfielder to allow Fabregas, Arshavin and Co. to push forward without worry of conceding. The aforementioned Yaya Toure would be an ideal signing, if the Gunners have the funds. Alexandre Song has played there in recent months but doesn’t look ready to fill that role permanently.
Another player who has been earmarked for that role is French midfielder Abou Diaby. He has even been compared to former Gunners captain Vieira. However he has recently came out and said that he is very different from the Inter midfielder. He has admitted that he feels Vieira is a stronger more aggressive player than himself. I also think that Diaby is more of an attacking player.
Over recent blip
Barca had something of a blip before the weekend with a draw against Valencia at the Mestalla and suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Russian champions Rubin Kazan at the Nou Camp. However it was just that a blip. The Barca of last season showed up at the Nou Camp on Sunday night and they were unstoppable.
They had Zaragoza tied in knots and the team is never happy to rest on their laurels. Even after they had scored six they were still pushing forward to score a seventh goal. Messi looked back to his fantastic best and Zlatan Ibrahimovic was also superb.
I have to admit I thought Inter got the better deal receiving £40million and Samuel Eto’0 for the enigmatic Swede. My opinion of the Swede has been completely changed since his arrival at the Nou Camp. I always thought he was an expensively luxury but he is now showing why Guardiola parted with the superb Eto’o and so much money.
Champions League challengers
Ironically like I have said before I actually think Arsenal are more suited to the European stage than the Premier League. Even after drawing their last Champions League game at AZ Alkmaar I think Arsenal can be a force in this season’s competition, even without the previously mentioned tough tackling midfielder.
European champions Barca will recover from the defeat to Rubin Kazan and win the trophy in my opinion. They are without doubt the best attacking team in Europe. If they hit top gear at any point in the competition then they will be difficult to stop.
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