Arsenal came from a goal behind to dramatically beat the La Liga champions 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, although Walcott recognised that the first leg could have gone either way.
“Barcelona taught us a lesson,” said the Gunners winger. “We couldn’t get near them at times. Barcelona had lots of possession but they didn’t create as many chances as they would have wanted.
“The most important thing is we have something to play with going into the second leg. Going into that game we have a great chance. We know we can get a result and it will be a great game for the neutral to watch.”
Walcott predicts there will plenty more twists and turns at Camp Nou on March 8.
He said: “We can’t get above ourselves. We still have a lot of work to do at their place and have to forget about this result now.
“We know how difficult it will be to win in front of their home support and on a big pitch. We made a lot of mistakes [at Camp Nou] last year and we don’t want to do the same again."
Walcott created problems for Barcelona with his pace and directness in the first half but he faded after the break and, although he was withdrawn in the second half, it did not sour a special evening for the England international.
“To be part of the team that beat the best team in the world has been brilliant,” he said. “It’s so great to be part of a big win and be on the right end of the result.
“It was such an open game. That’s the way they play and the way we play. It was so great to be part of it.”
Walcott admitted that it might now be hard for the Arsenal players to lift themselves for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Leyton Orient.
“It’s a big come down, no disrespect to Leyton Orient,” he said. “But it’s an important game and we play in the Premier League [against Stoke City] next Wednesday. The games are coming thick and fast so we have to concentrate on these and forget about the second leg.”
Great game! Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteThis game was one of the best ever, no doubt! They kept it action packed.
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