Arsenal and Barcelona Play With 10 Men The Right Way

In the 63rd minute of Arsenal’s draw against Liverpool, striker Emmanuel Adebayor’s right arm struck Alvaro Arbeloa’s right jaw, knocking the defender to the ground. Whether deserved or not, a second yellow-card quickly followed and Arsenal went down to ten men.

Spanish leaders Barcelona were forced to play the last fifteen minutes of their match against Villarreal a man down when central defender Gerard Pique was sent off in the 74th minute.

But instead of sitting back in a defensive shell, both teams produced aggressive, positive displays that saw them earn points where less brave teams would have succumbed to being a man down.

Arsenal were additionally inconvenienced as Cesc Fabregas went off at halftime with ligament damage. Backed by a raucous Emirates crowd, the Gunners reverted to a 4-4-1 with Robin Van Persie up front, trying to break down a Liverpool defense that had proved somewhat porous when he scored his Bergkamp-like first half goal.

But no Arsene Wenger team sits back hoping things will work out well in the end.

They defended high up the pitch, suffocating a Liverpool squad that was soon bereft of ideas. Shining for Arsenal in particular were midfielders Abou Diaby and Alexandre Song. Not only did they stifle whatever creativity the league leaders (until Monday evening?) had, but they were also a constant threat on the break.

Barcelona of course brought on a defender, Martin Caceres, to replace Pique and Alexander Hleb subbed for the exhausted Thierry Henry. But ‘Los Cules’ did not become the best team in the world (despite World Club Cup claims) by sitting back and having other teams bring the game to them. They continued to play the Barcelona way: quick passes, keep possession, know your position. And now go into the Christmas break ten points top of La Liga.