Reverse that trend and this tie

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
17 Feb	7:45 PM	CL	Fc Porto (A)	1	2	Lost

Okay, that was dumb all around. Sol should have just dealt with it and kicked it in the 25th row. If Fabianski was not sure if it was a back pass or not he should have taken the safe route and just booted it away. Anywhere in or out of play would have done the job. Campbell did have a slight touch on the ball. The ref made the right call. Back pass. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

But hey, the violation occurred at the very top of the box. It's an indirect free kick. Porto only have two players up field. We can survive this. Man was that stupid, but we can survive this. Fabianski still holds the ball in his hands from Campbell's back pass. The referee asks our Polish keeper for the ball. Now here's what I expected our Goaltender to do: Simply hold onto the ball refusing to give it to the Official forcing him to produce a yellow and stop the game, kick the ball way up field as if there was no back pass pretending to never hear the whistle, "accidentally" roll it behind the goal, or maybe even attempt to punt it to the moon.

Not our Polish keeper. Oh no, he decides to go for the "none of the above" option. Fabianski nicely hands the ball to the Swedish ref, who places the ball at the feet of a Porto player. Our Polish keeper than decides to turn his back and walk to his goal. The Porto player, almost in shock at this point, makes the easy pass to be in accordance with the indirect kick rule. Falcoa coolly finishes to score perhaps the easiest goal of his career. The Porto players gathered to celebrate and chuckle.

Now it's my turn to chuckle. Here is a recent quote from Wenger regarding our Polish keeper. "I have complete faith in Fabianski. He has shown he has the talent. I believe Lukascz is a very intelligent goalkeeper." Oh Arsène, you kill me sometimes. Do you really believe half the stuff you say? You are a riot... I wonder what AW will be impressed with when he analyses Fabianski's performance? His talent on the first goal, or his intelligence shown during the second one.

The second goal was eventually the winner and somewhat controversial, but the first goal should not be forgotten. Yes, Clichy was guilty of looking like a revolving door(spinning round and round to allow easy access), once again, but that cross was as harmless as Carlos Vela's right foot. Fabianksi's body positioning was almost completely backwards as to what it should have been in that situation. Horrific.

Sorry, I had to purge that from my system. Losing a Champions League game because of two terrible mistakes from our goalkeeper is absolutely sickening. Now on to the bigger picture. Arsenal did manage an away goal. The second leg will be held at the Emirates. Arsenal are very strong at home. Porto are not nearly as good away from home. In fact, their road record this year is deplorable. The second tie between these teams is not for another three weeks. That three week window will bring back some of the key players that missed tonight's game.

Arsenal need a special performance. A trademark win the supporters can grab on to and feel good about. Although they are still in the title hunt and remain in the Champions League, Arsenal have really come up short in all the big matches this year. By big matches I mean the games the supporters really got up for. As a supporter, this is starting to get annoying. Wins over the weaker teams in both competitions only temporarily satisfies, and I feel myself longing for more from the club I love. Reversing the result at Porto and advancing to the quarterfinals would be a very good result. The type of result the team and it's most loyal supporters need.

During the build up to the first games of the knockout round Wenger stated: "I expect the English teams to go through". Wenger's goalkeeper certainly made the task more difficult, but let's stay positive and get behind this team for the return leg. Arsenal will need a big performance in a big game. Facing elimination at home in the Champions League, It does not get any bigger than that. So far this year Arsenal have not shown up on the biggest occasions. If this English team is to go through Wenger will have to reverse that trend and this tie.

Post Script

7 days ago most Gooners would never have thought they would be praying for the return of Almunia. The Spanish Waiter was sorely missed tonight. Also, just wondering... Why not Vito the Italian Stallion? Fabianski was in goal when we got knocked out of both the Carling Cup and the FA Cup. He really has not put in any performances that warrant the number 2 spot. Manonne single-handedly gained Arsenal 3 points at Craven Cottage this year and played decent in the Champions League group stage games.

Please do not comment on how the referee should not have started the play so quickly after the back pass. There are two types of people in this world. The type that never depend on a call from a referee to win a football match, and those who complain about refereeing decisions after they are made. I am the former.

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