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Although there are four intriguing ties in the Champions League quarter final, it is only natural that one tie stands above the rest.
Football fans the world over have been in agreement that the silky style and skills displayed by Arsenal and Barcelona is unrivalled anywhere in the world.
Barcelona definitely have the edge given that they have been able to pick up trophies whilst playing in this manner but on their day, Arsenal are as brilliant to watch as any club side in the world. All of this makes for a mouth-watering two legs, with the first tie taking place in London at the Emirates Stadium.
Messi Magic
It has recently been announced that Lionel Messi is the highest paid footballer in the world and on current form, it is easy to see why.
Many people have issues with footballers earning obscene amounts of money and with so much hunger and poverty in the world, they have a point. However, the joy and pleasure that Lionel Messi brings to football fans all over the world goes some way to justifying his income. It is not as if the player is to blame for the money he earns.
He gets offered the contract by the club who obviously feel he is worth it. Therefore, no one can tell Messi that he should turn the offer down. Equally, if Barcelona did not pay this amount of money, some other club in the world would. Manchester United or Real Madrid would love to have Messi in their ranks but you would think there is no way he would ever leave for Madrid. Perhaps one day Messi will fancy a shot at the English Premier League but with the entire world at his feet, is there any reason for the player to leave the Catalan club.
Can Messi Light Up South Africa?
Two hat-tricks in his last two league matches, sandwiching two goals in the Champions League in the last 16 suggests that Messi is in the form of his life. This is not only great news for Barcelona, it is also great news for Argentina.
The team led by Diego Maradona will need their tiny superstar to be at the height of his powers if they are to stand any chance of adding to their record of two World Cup wins. If Messi is on good form, it is naturally good for Argentina but it will also be good for football fans everywhere who surely want to see the best players perform on the biggest football stage.
It may not be so good news for Arsenal fans though who are hoping to get past the Catalan side into the semi-final of the Champions League. The draw for the semi-final has already been made and both of these teams know that they will avoid the winners of the Bayern Munich v Manchester United clash. This means there may well be a repeat of last seasons Champions League final or an all English clash but that is getting ahead of the game with that sort of talk.
The focus is rightly on the re-match of the recent Champions League final where Barcelona came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1.
Can Sol Campbell score again?
Arsenal were reduced to ten men early on the game when Jens Lehmann was sent off for a professional foul but the Gooners shocked Barcelona by grabbing the lead. Sol Campbell opened the scoring and the defender, who has recently returned to Arsenal, would love to notch another goal against the Spanish champions.
William Gallas may be fit enough to return for the quarter final matches which means Campbell’s place in the starting line up is not guaranteed but if he gets the chance, Sol will be gunning for glory.
Even with a man down, Arsenal were withstanding wave after wave of Barcelona attack and it wasn’t until the introduction of Henrik Larsson that Barca were able to turn the game around. After the game, Arsenal striker Thierry Henry pointed out that Larsson was the difference between the two teams and the reason that blue and red ribbons were attached to the Champions League trophy.
Henry is now a Barcelona player and he will be looking to knock his former team out of the competition. It has been a difficult season for Henry, the handball fiasco for France against Ireland has dented his popularity and he has flitted in and out of the Barcelona team at times this season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was brought in on big money this summer and his style of play has necessitated a change from the attacking prowess built around Samuel Eto’o. Eto’o scored in the final against Arsenal and last season against Manchester United and has already shown this season a knack for scoring against English clubs.
Will Barca Miss Eto’o in the Big Games?
Eto’o, now at Inter Milan with Jose Mourinho, grabbed the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge to knock Chelsea out. This means that there are only two English sides left in the Champions League and if Barcelona knock out Arsenal, it could well leave Manchester United as the only team confident of halting Barcelona in their tracks.
There would be a certain irony if there was to be a repeat final this May. This years final is being held in the Santiago Bernabeu and all of the Madridistas will be praying that Barcelona and United do not make it to the final. Real Madrid were confident of making it to the final on their own home ground but seeing two of their biggest global rivals play there instead will be the stuff of nightmares.
Barcelona are clearly the clubs big Spanish rivals and the relationship between Real Madrid and Manchester United suffered greatly because of the long running Cristiano Ronaldo saga. When Alex Ferguson referred to Real Madrid as being like a virus, it is clear there is no love lost between the two clubs.
That is all for May though, right now the focus is on the quarter finals of the Champions League and the battle to earn a semi-final place. The first leg usually decides nothing but all eyes will be on the Emirates to see these two football giants clash.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
