It's Arsenal vs Barcelona

Having seen the two semifinal series (Arsenal vs Villareal & Bacrelona vs AC Milan) it leaves us with a possibly highly entertainning and exciting Champions League final in a few days. Arsenal vs Barcelona is, on paper definetly, an attacking minded football fan's delight and the prospects are mind-boggling. They both have one touch attacking styles and have players that can create wonders on the pitch. But they have had contrasting national league performance this season. Arsenal have struggled in the English Premier League, losing a few games which would have seemed impossible last season. As I stated before in this blog, I don't think that they have effectively replaced midfield general Patrick Vieira at all. They really needed a player of his stature in several games this season. Arsenal are not even sure of finishing in the top 4 of the league to ensure that they will atleast have managed to enter the qualifing rounds of the Champions League. Local rivals Tottenham Hotspurs are above them in 4th place. If they don't finish 4th in the League, Arsenal will have to win the final to ensure that they make it next year.

Barcelona, on the other hand, are flying high, and are just a win away from clinching their second Spanish League title in two years. They have dominated the SPanish football scene and with their attacking style have many fans & critics saying that they will be the winners. Barca's attackers will have to be sharp to get goals against a superb Arsenal defense, who atleast in the Champions League, have been brilliant. It might be a swansong of sorts for Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp and Barcelona's Henrik Larsson. Bergkamp is expected to retire at the end of the season and it would be a fitting end to his glorious career if he goes out in style by winning the cup. Similarly for Larsson, who won't retire but go to play in his home country of Sweden to play there. The Swedish league is a smaller season and far from the levels of the English, Italian or Spanish leagues. Two players at the twilight of their careers - who will walk away the happier??

Babe of the week - KELLY HU





Song for the day - "I Saw Red" - WARRANT