It is incredible how time flies. Approximately ten years ago, Arsenal and Barcelona squared off in the UEFA Champions League final in Paris. That was a great day (thank you Henrik Larsson and Juliano Belletti) and hopefully we see much more of the same over the upcoming 2 legs of Last 16 play. Since that day in May 2006, there have been many matches between these two sides, with protagonists on both sides creating some brilliant highlight moments. From the feted MSN triumvirate to Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2010 or a familiar face in Alexis Sánchez, there will be some key battles to keep an eye on today.
Direct threat
Per Mertesacker and Javier Mascherano are most certainly not goal-scoring mavericks in the ilk of Lionel Messi or Luis Suárez, yet they will have a key role in their respective side's downfall or victory. Their lack of express pace leaves them open to the threat of passes and runs in behind. Mertesacker is no slouch in defense but, as seen time and again, he can and will be caught out with the right pass played in behind him - most recently when he was sent off against Chelsea for a foul on Diego Costa. Against Leicester, especially in the 1st half, Jamie Vardy was a constant threat to Mertesacker and his Arsenal colleagues with his directness and pace. Luis Enrique has the perfect man to target Mertesacker in Luis Suarez. Suarez has added another dimension to the Barça attack since his move in 2014, creating pockets of space as well as forcing the opposition defence to drop deeper than they'd like to with his willingness to run in behind. Arsenal's fullbacks' forward runs, particularly Héctor Béllerin, would also leave space for MSN to exploit.
As much as Mascherano has been a brilliant and consistent performer for Barça, he can be a liability - to use that term very loosely - to the direct threat from the opposition. Olivier Giroud has been in good form this season and, should he play, will not be a threat running in behind Piqué and Mascherano. With Mesut Özil in fine fettle, there will always be that danger of Arsenal on the counter attack through the likes of Alexis playing off Giroud as a focal point. It is also imperative that El Jefecito does not get sucked into the midfield zone. His supreme tactical intelligence should mean that that should not be a worry. Dani Alves' attacking forays could also leave space for Arsenal's pace merchants to thrive on the counter. Theo Walcott is a player that Messi has called "one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against" but has not been in good form this season.
Old boys are back - Alexis Sánchez & Héctor Béllerin
We all now the danger that this Chile star poses. Alexis Sánchez had his moments at in the Blaugrana shirt but ultimately it was best for him that he left Camp Nou. His pace, ridiculously great athleticism and endurance levels and technical ability mean he will be a threat throughout the game - no matter in the first minute or the last thirty seconds. There is this inexplicable "rule" that players tend to play well and score when they return to their previous clubs. Worse players than Alexis have played well and hurt Barça in the past, let alone an Alexis Sánchez playing with an added motivation to impress and star against Barça in an Arsenal shirt.
Returning to his childhood club, Héctor Béllerin will also have the extra motivation to succeed. He has been a revelation since he broke into Arsenal's starting XI last season. Despite his age, the young Spaniard has been one of the best fullbacks in the English Premier League this season. Confident and impressive in both defence and attack, Béllerin would be another threat on the counter with his pace.
Arsenal's tactical set-up
Against most opponents, Arsenal would have the prerogative to play on the front foot and look to dominate possession and the flow of play. Arsenal, however, have shown in recent years a cynicism - if I could call it that - to set out a defensive block in big matches, most prominently in an impressive win against Manchester City last year. Another alternative would be for Arsenal to press high today, like Celta de Vigo did earlier on this season in a 4-1 defeat for Barça. Either way, Messi & Co have the experience, nous and quality to adapt and assert their superiority at the Emirates Stadium today.
With all that said and done, the simple notion of luck could also have a bearing on the outcome of today's game. An early sending off - like Jens Lehmann in 2006 - or a slip a la Steven Gerrard. Arsene Wenger praised Barça in his pre-match press conference, saying "No team is perfect, but Barcelona are not far from it." It is hard to disagree. Barça have more than enough to enter the 2nd leg at Camp Nou with a lead from today's 1st leg in London.
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