Arsenal fail at the last hurdle

Arsenal’s Thierry Henry looks forlornly at the trophy which almost looked going to London until Barcelona turned the game on with two goals in the 76th and 80th minutes. Arsenal had led from a goal from the 37th minute.

By the post-match comments Hendry made, it looks like he is learning something from a certain Mr Mourinho. When asked if the better team won, Henry said nope. He said the referee made some bad decisions against them and that Barca players had resorted to diving. No doubt his words were influenced by high emotions of losing on the night.

This is my take in the wonderful game: No doubt the referee was not up to mark. He should have allowed Barca's first goal to stand and just yellow carded Lehmann. Instead he sends the goalie off and gives Barca a free kick. I think the game would have been better if it was 11 against 11 with Barca one goal up.

Then the Arsenal goal - Arsenal defender Eboue clearly dived to win the freekick which Hendry took and Campbell scored.

I also thought the referee gave too many free kicks for Arsenal in the first half.

After that Barca really turned on the screw in the second half, especially with Iniesta coming in. He linked well with Ronaldinho and Eto’o. Barca's first goal was not offside as Wenger says as I think Toure was playing Eto’o on and for Barca's second goal, the English commentators said it was fortunate but the way it was created fully merited an excellent goal that it turned to be.

I think Henry is just being a sore loser here. He did have a good chance to bury the game but shot straight at the keeper. And for his claims about Barca players' diving? Maybe he has the same problem as his boss in not seeing his teammates doing the same - even in tonight's game their goal was a result of a dive and who can forget the great dive by Pires a few seasons ago?

All in all, I think Barca deserved to win. Unfortunately their victory has been tainted by Lehmann's red-card for I think if it was a 11-11 contest, Barca would have won more comfortably.

And after all these, one question remains. Where will Henry play next season? He refused to answer that question when asked after the game. I think he is leaving Arsenal…perhaps to Barcelona?