Lethargic

Feeling restless. Not going to dwell too much on how many hrs I slept. Nobody can sleep so well after that match last night. I specially went to bed at 11pm, but it didn't work. Not used to sleeping so early, and the match was all over my brain.


Bro apparently didn't sleep since he came back from work just before 12 midnight. He stayed awake until the kick off at 2.45am. That was when I woke up, not before I checked the line-up through my phone's Wi-Fi of course. Brought my barang barang stuff from bed (blanket and bolster) to the living room, coz I was feeling a little cold (from being nervous I suppose). There we were, sitting side by side on the 3-seater couch.


2 mins into the game and I already I feel bullish. 10 mins, 20mins... Barcelona TOTALLY controled possession! They were playing as if Emirates was their home stadium. Arsenal could only watch them do pass after pass, standing in the way to cut out routes, but can't get near them. Many reports were saying that's how other EPL teams feel when Arsenal play them - they never get a chance to play the ball. Basically its like Arsenal getting a taste of their own medicine.


Loads of chances created, loads of saves made by Almunia. Seriously, apart from his mistake in the 1st goal, he did so well in the 1st half that if not for him, Arsenal would have been down 5-0 even b4 the break. Ultimately, he got beaten, twice in the 2nd half. It was pretty bad after the 2nd goal went in. I was thinking to myself, "That's probably it. How are Arsenal gonna react?"


Theo came on for Sagna, and I wasn't expecting too much really. Theo made a few bright runs straight after he came on. Then, he scored. I wasn't jumping or celebrating or anything. That's because I was too shock to react. All I said was, "Woah." Bendtner had a great chance from a header (which the goalkeeper saved), and for that I had a huge reaction coz I too thought that was going in. But Theo's goal was like - "Did he just score a goal?" I looked at my bro and he had the same reaction too. Haha... so funny. That goal came at such a time that whole Emirates stadium was in roars, and I woke up to the hope that we can still get another goal. Great from Theo too, Capello was in the stands watching, and he needed to play more often with that kind of performance to prove that he can go to South Africa. He was the Super-Sub that night.


The blots of the night were that Cesc became injured. He duly took Arsenal's 2nd goal (a penalty) to keep the tie 2-2. He got booked in the 1st half, therefore he will miss the 2nd leg, which is a huge blow not just for Arsenal, but for him too. He is excited by the prospect of going back to his youth club ground and play, much like Henry coming back and play at Emirates last night. He was really upset. Since he wun be at Barcelona in a week's time, he tried his best to make an impact here. Funny enough, he did so much impact. not only did he take Pique (yellow carded for fouling Cesc) out of the 2nd leg, he also took Puyol out of the 2nd leg with a straight red (which resulted in the penalty taken by Cesc). In the end, he couldn't even put weight on his right leg after the penalty kick. He's just fantastic. Risk his own injury to help Arsenal in such a fashion. Luckily Barcelona were down to 10 ten men, so Cesc could afford to hobble around the pitch till full time. He was still up there waiting for goal scoring opportunities towards the end. He is the type that just wants to play all the time, even if he wasn't 100% fit. Great player, great captain. Hope he doesn't get punished too hard for leading the team on, hope he recovers soon.


Nasri was really great in the 1st half too. He made runs into defence and created a few chances. Bendtner may not have gotten too much on the ball, but his assist to Theo's goal, and header to Cesc which set up the penalty was important too. A pity Arshavin and Gallas came off in 1st half due to injuries. Made the boss sweat over the 1 remaining substitute. He couldn't bring Cesc off because he subbed Theo in as the 3rd and last substitute. There goes our injury list again. New worries to worry about too. Haiz.


On a side note, Nadal played really well against Tsonga. He played his game and waited for Tsonga to 'self-destruct' and falter, which he did. All Nadal had to do is hold his serve and wait for opportunities to attack on Tsonga's serves. Basically forcing errors out of Tsonga towards the end. He won in straight sets and under 2hrs too. He faces Roddick next, another great server as well. It's going to be a very interesting match. Can't wait!