Arsenal vs Barcelona Highlights: Champions League(31.03.2010)

Cesc Fabregas kept Arsenal’s European dream alive after the Gunners came back from 2-0 down to draw the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona at Emirates Stadium.

The Spaniards had lived up to their billing as favourites following a blistering start and a second-half double from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who looked to have all but killed off the tie.

However, Theo Walcott came off the bench to pull a goal back before Fabregas who will miss the second leg at his old club after being booked smashed in a late penalty after Carles Puyol was sent off for fouling the midfielder in the box.

While Barcelona will still be favourites to progress, Arsene Wenger’s young side again showed great character and yet have a slim chance to prove their doubters wrong with a similarly courageous display in the Nou Camp.

Highlights:

Arsenal vs Barcelona Champions league Preview Video

Arsenal will wait until the last possible moment to asses the fitness of their skipper Fabregas for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final showdown with holders Barcelona.

Fabregas suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham on Saturday which has kept him out of training and manager Arsene Wenger is due to wait until Wednesday night’s warm-up, before making a decision. The Spain international’s expected fitness test in front of the early arrivals at Emirates Stadium will serve as an intriguing prelude to what promises to be an exciting contest between two exponents of the beautiful game.

Fabregas moved to the North London club from the Catalan giants as a teenager, blossoming into an outstanding talent under Wenger’s wings and has frequently been linked with a return to Camp Nou, although the midfielder denies any such thing.

The last-eight clash is a repeat of the 2006 epic final, when the Spanish side came back from a goal down with two late strikes to triumph over the 10-man Gunners, who had goalkeeper Jens Lehmann sent off when the scores were locked at 0-0.

Gunners legend Thierry Henry missed several chances to steal an improbable victory for Wenger’s men in that match after Sol Campbell had headed them in front, and, having moved to Barca just over 12 months later, has confessed he did not want to face Arsenal at this stage of the competition.

Apart from the uncertainty in Fabregas fitness and record Arsenal goalscorer Henry’s return to Emirates, there is the small matter of how the Gunners will cope with the supreme talents of the World player of the year Lionel Messi.

Messi is enjoying another sensational season under Pep Guardiola as Barca look to defend the trophy they lifted with victory over Manchester United in Rome in May, in which the diminutive genius headed home his side’s second goal.

Arsenal will be happy to welcome centre-back William Gallas’ return to training after eight games on the sidelines with a calf injury.

The France international has been named in the squad and could partner Thomas Vermaelen if Wenger elects to take veteran Campbell out of the firing line.

Barcelona have their own injury worries with the influential Andres Iniesta ruled out after suffering a thigh injury in the Liga victory over Real Mallorca at the weekend.

However, Guardiola has Eric Abidal available for the first time since early February following his groin problem and Gerard Pique is due to return after missing the last few games with a knee injury.

Trailer:

Bayern Munich vs Manchester United Highlights: UEFA Champions League(30.03.2010)

Ivica Olic applied the cool finish for Bayern’s winner after robbing Evra of possession in the box, and at that moment United medical staff instantly ran to Rooney, who appeared to land awkwardly on his right ankle after trying to avoid having his left foot trodden on by Mario Gomez.

Rooney had earlier increased his goal tally to 34, before deflecting Franck Ribery’s free-kick past Edwin van der Sar 13 minutes from time.

The initial fear was that it was another of those dreaded metatarsal injuries and while that did not seem to be the problem on closer inspection, any injury lay-off at this stage of the season will be bad news in particular for Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

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Chelsea vs Aston Villa Highlights: EPL(27.03.2010)

Frank Lampard grabbed four as Chelsea demolished Aston Villa to head the Premier League table. Lampard’s fantastic quartet made him third-highest scorer in the club’s history eclipsing legends Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood with 151 goals.

Lampard was assisted twice by Florent Malouda and another from substitute Salomon Kalou as Carlo Ancelotti’s side have scored 12 goals in four days.

Chelsea have now scored 82 goals so far this season, boasting a goal difference of 53 and apart from a John Carew’s first-half equaliser, the Blues were cruising for long periods.

The victory put them back in front of Manchester United by two points although Sir Alex Ferguson’s side play Bolton in the early evening kick-off. Blues will be relieved after Arsenal failed to secure all three points at Birmingham.

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