The original was a classic, a fast-paced thriller that captivated audiences worldwide.
It ebbed, flowed and revealed an epic storyline that few could see coming. There were heroes, villains, insults, injuries, and there was a spectacle that all who witnessed thoroughly enjoyed. Arsenal versus Barcelona was always likely to produce a Star Wars-style adventure. Now it’s time for part two.
In the Luke Skywalker role, look no further than Theo Walcott, a fearless fighter who will be thrust into the action tonight with a lot resting on his young shoulders.
It was substitute Walcott who scored Arsenal’s first goal at the Emirates six days ago, the Englishman tormented Barcelona full-back Maxwell with his pace and directness so much so that there’s talk that the Brazilian won’t play tonight. Walcott will, and his influence will be more important than ever.
There will be a gaping hole in the Arsenal teamsheet. An appearance at the Nou Camp would have meant so much to Cesc Fàbregas, who first entered the ground with his grandfather when he was just nine months old, but the Catalan has already left an indelible mark on the tie. His 85th-minute penalty in the first leg would prove to be his last meaningful kick of the season. His leg didn’t recover, the question now has to be if his team-mates can.
Andrey Arshavin, William Gallas and Alex Song are out too, with Tomáš Rosický rated only 50-50 to start tonight. It will be a patched-up Gunners side who take to the field, but what a chance for the likes of Denílson, Abou Diaby and Nicklas Bendtner – all impressive this season – to write their name into Arsenal’s European folklore. Sol Campbell has seen and done it all before, that experience could be vital.
Not that Barça haven’t got their problems. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – a double goalscorer in that first game – will be missing tonight through injury, while centre-back partners Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué are suspended.
All promising for the Gunners, until you remember that Barcelona have tricky forwards Bojan, Pedro and Jeffrén in reserve, Thierry Henry will be lurking too, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta may be reunited this evening as well. Then there’s the little matter of Lionel Messi.
Tonight should suit the Argentina ace more than last week’s first leg did. The Gunners have to score, meaning that some wide open Nou Camp space should be available for the little No. 10, and we’ve all seen how he enjoys utilising that. He will duck and weave his way around the Arsenal defence, often popping up where you least expect him. A phantom menace for Campbell and company.
English clubs suffered disappointing results in the Champions League last week, but if the empire is to strike back, then surely this would represent the biggest shock.
Walcott, Wenger and Arsenal will become heroes if they can get the job done this evening, it would be a result that would echo through the ages of the Gunners’ European history.
They’ll even be talking about it in a galaxy far, far away.
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