A preview of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash with Arsenal at the Emirates stadium
FC Barcelona will make their return to the English capital tomorrow as they travel to London to take on English Premier League favourites, Arsenal FC at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners represent the first real obstacle in our bid to retain the UEFA Champions League, a feat that has never been achieved with the competition in its current format. That’s the enormity of the task at hand for Barcelona this season, although one could argue that they are being somewhat eased into it with this tie against Arsenal.
It’s not that Arsene Wenger’s side are not a worth adversary for the Blaugrana juggernaut, far from it – they arguably represent our second best opposition this season behind Atletico Madrid – but history certainly favours the blue and red in this modern rivalry.
The two sides have crossed paths five times in this competition and the end result has always been the same: Barcelona progressing to the next round at the expense of the Gunners. Or on that fateful night in Paris, Barcelona lifting the trophy at the expense of their foes. In nine meetings between the two sides, Arsenal have only emerged victorious on one occasion – a 2-1 win at the Emirates back in February 2011.
In the five years that have passed since that night, Arsenal try to claim that they have progressed, but they have very little to show for their efforts. While Barcelona have gone on to win three La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies since that night, Arsenal have only had a couple of FA Cup wins to celebrate. Of course, their squad for tomorrow’s match is far better than the one they had on that night, but so too is Barcelona’s – and that’s even taking their eventual double-winning campaign into consideration.
The Blaugrana are currently on a 32 match unbeaten streak – second only to Real Madrid’s Spanish record of 34 matches in the 1988-89 season. The magnitude of that streak probably doesn’t come through with that last sentence, but consider in comparison how Arsenal have lost eight in their last 32 matches. Whether that’s a bad record remains to be seen, but it hardly inspires as much fear as Barcelona’s club record run.
So while Arsenal fans yearn for a repeat of that famous victory five years ago, the odds are very much stacked against them. Even detractors who point at Barcelona’s away form should be weary; while they struggled against Las Palmas at the weekend and have generally found it tougher on their travels, they have also thrived on the road when it’s mattered most.
A floodlight evening at the Emirates might be difficult, but if we replicate the performances we have produced in far more hostile environments at the Vicente Calderon and the Santiago Bernabeu arguably against better sides in Atletico and Real Madrid respectively, then we will emerge victorious once again. This isn’t me belittling Arsenal, this is me playing up this once in a lifetime team.
And as always, I have faith in them to deliver tomorrow and make me proud once again to call myself a Culé.
TEAM NEWS
BARCELONA
Typically I’d go through the motions to bring you a roundabout prediction of the starting line-up, but we know what to expect tomorrow: there will be a start for the UCL Gala XI. Perhaps there’s a question mark over Dani Alves’ place with Aleix Vidal ready to step in at right-back, but that’s it – as the rest of team truly selects itself.
The question is what this team will achieve tomorrow: and for a preview of how they might approach the game, check out our lengthy tactical preview.
ARSENAL
Star man Mesut Ozil missed the weekend draw with Hull City, as Wenger rotated his squad heavily in anticipation of this match. The performance was disappointing and could have a few spill over effects, especially in terms of shaping the atmosphere at the Emirates, but in general we can expect a different Arsenal line-up and a more focused display from our hosts.
Petr Cech will start in goal hoping to extend his impressive record against Lionel Messi, although as much as Arsenal fans (and Chelsea fans) like to remind us of that record, the Czech international will know that stopping Messi does not guarantee victory, especially with Luis Suarez and Neymar starting alongside the Argentine in attack.
Hector Bellerin will get the nod against his former club at right-back as his match-up against Neymar promises to be one of the most interesting and perhaps important of the game. In the heart of defense there is a chance that Wenger may bring Gabriel back into the line-up, but even without considering his fitness I would be inclined to suggest that he would prefer the experience of World Cup winner, Per Mertesacker alongside Laurent Koscielny. Former Malaga full-back Nacho Monreal will complete the defense and has the less than envious task of putting the shackles on five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi.
Francis Coquelin is a sure-fire starter in midfield, and from here on in, Wenger has a few options. He could double up on the midfield destroyers and start Mathieu Flamini if he really wanted. He could start Aaron Ramsey in a deeper role, or he could opt for the more mobile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in that second central midfield berth. My money is on Ramsey for what it’s worth.
The three attacking midfield spots should be occupied by Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain if you follow my midfield selection all the way through – but spare a thought for Joel Campbell who has performed reasonably well in this competition, and of course for Theo Walcott, who shall we say has history against us.
Which is why I think he’ll start upfront instead of Olivier Giroud, but what do I know? Either Giroud or Walcott and Danny Wellbeck will provide the offensive options off the bench, each presenting their own unique challenge for our sometimes vulnerable defense.
FORM GUIDE
Barcelona: WWDWWW
Arsenal: LWDWWD
LAST MEETING
FC Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal FC – 8th March 2011 – UEFA Champions League
Isn’t it ironic that Arsenal fans have to look back at this one and rue that Robin Van Persie, their mortal enemy, was sent off in this one? On the one hand that should retrospectively bring them joy, but I guess it’s different it impacts you. A brace from Messi and a goal from Xavi sent us through in this one.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Sanchez, Ozil, Chamberlain; Walcott
MATCH PREDICTION
At the risk of invoking the hate of the Gooner family, I think we’ll win this one handily, but I’ll revise my official prediction down to 2-1 in fear of jinxing the team. Suarez and Neymar with the goals.
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