Two teams who historically know each other inside out will do battle yet again in the Champions League round of 16.
The 2006 Champions League final will evoke despairing images for Gunners fans, while for Barcelona it was the beginning of a stunning Champions League trophy run.
Arsenal come into the clash after a disappointing sequence of results, whereas their Spanish opponents are terrorising anyone who comes before them.
It will be an extremely difficult task for Arsene Wenger’s men, as they prepare themselves for yet another duel with world football’s most formidable outfit.
Here’s a close look at the key talking points ahead of the match:
Arsenal must revert to counter-attacking, even at home
The Gunners could live and die by Wenger’s tactical setup ahead of the first leg at the Emirates Stadium. Going toe-to-toe with Barca right now would be a decision fraught with serious danger. Simply put, Luis Enrique has a team dominate in possession, relatively sturdy in defence but ultimately a side that boasts incredible attacking firepower. The La Liga league leaders have scored 67 goals in 25 games, while on the other hand Arsenal has mustered 41 goals in 26 games – there is a clear clinical discrepancy up front. It would be wise for Arsenal to wait patiently for their opportunities to attack and use the guile of Mesut Ozil and pace of Theo Walcott and former Barca forward Alexis Sanchez to inflict damage on the Catalan defence.
Tall order of stopping Barcelona’s devastating front three
They get constantly spoken about, and with good reason. It’s hard not to get swept up in the media frenzy surrounding the trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. Between the dynamic attack they have a whopping 81 goals in all competitions already this season. Their telepathic connection sees them create a host of problems for opposition defences and it appears like Arsenal’s rearguard defensive pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Per Metersacker will be in for a long night. The latter’s well-documented lack of pace against Suarez in particular will give the Arsenal faithful nightmares. Having protection from the midfield will be crucial in the Gunners’ attempts of thwarting Barca.
History points toward a Spanish cakewalk
Not many teams can boast a superior record against Barcelona and Arsenal are no exception. Unfortunately for the Gunners they have secured just a solitary win, as opposed to Barca’s four in seven meetings between the sides. Despite Arsenal’s best attempts, taking the lead and being in the ascendancy on several occasions, against the Spanish giants they have experienced lapses in concentration at vital stages of ties. The Gunners’ lack of conviction in the Premier League this season and propensity to falter under pressure, means that naturally the pundits have installed Barcelona as firm favourites to prevail against Arsenal in a Champions League.
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