We are in good shape for Barca Clash: Wenger
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, believes that his side is in a better condition to face Barcelona this time around as compared to last year.
“Personally I believe we go into the Barcelona game in better shape than last year and Robin is part of that”, said the Arsenal manager.
“We had many uncertainties [last year]; the team for me had less confidence. Now we have matured better and we can certainly compete technically better with them.
In the first game last season, Robin was injured, Gallas went off at half time, Arshavin went off after 15 minutes while Song and Fabregas [didn’t play] in the second game. We are in a better shape this time”.
The Gunners host Barcelona in the 1st leg of the knockout round at Emirates on Wednesday. Arsenal were runners up in the Group H, which was topped by Shakhtar Donetsk, while Barcelona led the Group D to reach the knock out round.
Arsenal benefits from a superb run of form and hasn’t lost a game since last December. Wenger believes that his side’s tie against Barcelona has come at a very good time. Wenger is wary of Barcelona’s threat and the attacking options the Catalan giants possess.
The two sides are known for playing the best football in the world.
The Gunners were hammered by the Catalans 6-3 on aggregate score in the last years Champions league clash. Barcelona held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates, while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 scored all four goals for the home side in a 4-1 win at the Nou Camp.
Arsenal will be hoping that their star player of this season, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukasz-Fabianski-c22910. Their best
defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 is also missing for this clash.
Arsenal have made good progress in the Premier League and are placed second on the table with four points behind league leaders Manchester United. The form of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 will be an encouraging factor for the Gunners as the Dutchman has scored nine
goals in his last five matches.
Tags: