A win was certainly the minimum requirement in the match against Villareal to give Highbury a perfect European send-off. And the score was one that is very familiarly associated with us! Yes! With 1 nil to the Arsenal, Highbury finally bowed off from the European stage.
Also it was our first appearance in a Champions League Semi-final so it was nice to record a win rather a defeat or a draw. We defended well again as we have until now and it was crucial that we didn’t concede a goal. So another clean sheet followed with a strong performance from our defenders.
A disallowed Henry goal which by the look of it seemed to be an incorrect decision could have made the task much easier for us on our trip to Villareal next Tuesday. Two nil would have been a better score to take to our second leg but that was not the case to be.
But we have been playing extremely well in our European fixtures and in the second leg if we don’t get nervy and soak the early pressure by Villareal who shall be up for it in front of their own crowd then we are certainly capable of pulling out another nice performance that could land us well – in the Champions League Final. Lets hope so.
For the first time in this Champions league season we were favourites going into this game and we justified our position with a deserving victory achieved by a good team display and defence. The only negtaive that can be drawn is that we could have scored more. We are left only to rue our missed chances but it was not entirely due to us. We must say that Viilareal defended very strongly in the second half and their midfield indeed put up a fine display. Though it was apparent that they were relying upon their home fixture as the key but they were a good disciplined side who capabilities are well documented by the fact that have ousted Everton, Man Utd, Rangers and Inter en route to this semi final. Riquelme didn’t appeared as big a threat as he was made of to be but we also have to keep in mind that their obvious plan at Highbury was not to attack but to defend. They in a way quiet succeded in this task as a one goal lead is a slender lead to take to their ground but as I said before the vital thing was not to concede a goal and we did not.
The tie is by no means over as Villareal will be up for it in the return match and they shall be having the home advantage now. But we have nothing to fear. We have shown that we can defend at home as well away previously. It would be a tough game at their home but if we defend well as a team and be sharp and fast on our counter attack then we could definitely get an away goal as well. Its certain that now with our lead Villareal will be forced to attack and if we defend well and catch them on the counter-attack then we can nick another one there. Even one goal from us would make it a difficult task for Villareal.
So lets hope that we dont crack under pressure as one more sound performance shall land our club for the first time in the Finals of the Champiosn League.
Four minutes before half time Koulo Toure got the solitary but very vital goal for us after some neat passing between Henry & Hleb got Hleb to the byline from where he picked his man and passed the ball only to find Toure's leg which directed the ball into the net to send Highbury wild and crazy. WOW!! what a feeling!!
Ironically it was Toures first goal at Highbury but what a night to score it. We have to be very sharp in the next fixture in Spain and take our chances accurately. We can rue our missed chances at Higbury but wont be spared for that in Spain.
Also no injuries to any of the players in the game and this victory should be a massive boost for us to take on our rivals Spurs on Saturday. Just like a perfect European send-off for Highbury this victory should give us that confidence to finish off Spurs in fashion and style in what’s going to be the last ever North-London derby to be played at Highbury. Whooo!
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