Most of the British media patronised us before the game, calling us "Barcelona Lite" and none of them really gave us a chance. Let us take a look at their post-match opinions:
The Guardian:
Richard Williams said that no-one would have fancied Wenger's "bunch of lightweights and fancy-pants" to fight for their lives in the last 12 minutes of a crucial tie. Williams did not seem to be aware of the stats that we are the team with the most goals in the last 15 minutes this season.
Hayward from the same paper called Wilshere Arsenal's Xavi. David Pleat said that Arsenal defended too deep in the first half but Wenger was rewarded for his bold tactics in replacing Song with Arshavin.
The Independent:
To his credit, James Lawton was the only one who reminded us that Arsenal had half a team missing in the 4-1 defeat last year and that the first leg was only a draw. Arsenal showed a lot of fighting spirit but Lawton also pointed out that they did rally the same way last year at the Emirates.
The Mirror
In an amazing twist, Olivier Holt asked his readers to "forget about the result" as even when "Barcelona lose, they win". Holt praised the beauty of Barcelona's football and choose to point out the "five minute" period where they made Arsenal "chase shadows". And there was I thinking that football matches are judged on 90 minutes! Arsenal were also magnificent but Barcelona "played like gods". I am not making this up!
The Sun
They say that for 78 minutes, the gulf in class was massive as "Barcelona looked awesome, while Arsenal ran about like headless chickens " . They said Wenger got it wrong at the start and the defence played "like strangers" (I cannot believe that either as I thought it was one of our finest defensive displays for the past three years). But Wenger's substitutions changed the game and Arsenal showed great character.
