Arsenal can oust Barcelona from Champions League: Arsene Wenger
Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger believes that his young Gunners have what it takes to knock Barcelona out of the Champions League. Wenger’s men drew first blood on 16th February, by beating the Spanish giants 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League
Round of 16 fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
Barcelona had knocked Arsenal out of the competition last year. However, they were clearly out for blood this time. The Gunners tried to beat Pep Guardiola’s men at their own game, moving the ball at a furious pace. However, the strategy almost backfired.
For a while, it looked as if Barcelona would breeze past their English opponents once again. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629 opened the scoring for the Catalans with 30 minutes played and Barcelona looked the likelier side to score until the final quarter of the game.
However, Arsenal shocked the visitors with two goals in quick succession. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrei-Arshavin-c5771 landed the killer blow in the 83rd minute. The result means that the Gunners go into the second leg at the Nou Camp with
a vital one-goal lead. Manager Arsene Wenger is confident that his side can make that lead count.
Speaking after the match, Wenger said, “I am highly delighted. It was a special football night. The game promised a lot and fulfilled that promise. It was two exceptional teams who tried always to be positive. We are not favourites now, but what is important
is the belief that we have a chance.”
He stressed that the belief of a chance will have great psychological impacts, “Tonight gives us a chance to go to Barcelona with belief. Every game is difficult but we will prepare well and be highly focused. Against Barcelona you are exposed many times
when they have possession, but we kept resilient and strong.”
The second leg at the Nou Camp takes place in three weeks time. Even though Arsenal will take a one-goal lead to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011, Barcelona are still favourites to win the tie. However, with the performance the Gunners put in yesterday, people will think twice before
betting against them.
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