Football Special Report: Can Arsenal overcome Barcelona?
Arsene Wenger proved to be right as Gunners will face the team that knocked them out from the Champions League last season. Barcelona are currently the favourites to book their place in last eight of the competition, but find Arsenal in their path.
Theo Walcott said before the draw that they would like to face Barcelona to show that they are much stronger this season compared to the last time they met in the Quarter-Finals. He has got a chance to do just that but they will be aware that Barcelona have
reinforced their squad in the summer with the addition of Javier Mascherano and more significantly David Villa.
Lionel Messi made the Arsenal defence look ordinary as he turned in a performance which is not likely to be forgotten as he gears up to meet the Gunners in February. Wenger and Arsenal have accepted that this is possibly their toughest challenge and will
be aware of the threat from the European giants.
It is quite obvious that Barcelona will go into the game as the favourites and considering the superb talent in their armoury, they will be expected to progress. With the weight of expectations off their shoulders, the Gunners should try to enjoy the game
while giving their best in order to defeat the former champions.
Arsenal were without their first choice defensive pairing last time these two teams met and they suffered as a result. Wenger has offloaded three veteran defenders with William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell all shown the door at Emirates and
strengthen his aging backline with the signings of Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci.
Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie will be back to full fitness by the time these two teams meet and should they remain fit, Arsenal will have the men to take the fight to the Spanish champions. Also, Samir Nasri has been the player of the season for Arsenal
and presents a major challenge to Barcelona while Marouane Chamakh's work ethic in and around the penalty area will be the key for his ability to score goals when necessary.
Barcelona manager highlighted that Samir Nasri would be a major threat for his team and plans will be hatched to stop him from wreaking havoc against their defence. Barcelona were continuously linked with a move for their former youth player and present
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas in the summer but Wenger was able to keep his biggest asset at the Emirates.
Cesc Fabregas is integral to Arsenal's chances of qualifying to the next round. He has been struggling to gain full fitness following multiple hamstring injuries and looks far from his best in this campaign. Fabregas remains Arsenal's best midfielder despite
Samir Nasri grabbing all the praise recently with a string of match winning performances, the Spaniard provides creativity and is at the heart of almost all of Arsenal's attack. He has an air of calm about him and is a leader on the field.
He is the best in the team in creating chances for his teammates and should he find his goal scoring form of the last season, he could be a huge threat for his former club. He has said in the past that it is his dream to play for Barcelona in the future
but Barcelona will know that he will give his full effort for the Gunners' cause.
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