Arsenal vs Barcelona preview

Posted Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by PA

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted his team are desperate to prove they can compete with Barcelona.

The teams meet in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, having clashed in last season's quarter-finals.

Arsenal were humbled 6-3 on aggregate in 2010, losing 4-1 at the Nou Camp after Lionel Messi plundered four goals and escaping with a 2-2 draw at home.

The encounters pointed to a gulf in class but Wenger insisted that over the last 12 months the Gunners, who welcome back Samir Nasri from injury, have been transformed.

"We don't deny the quality of Barcelona, but what is important for us is we have a good opportunity to show who we are now," Wenger said.

"Not only that, we also want to show Barcelona we are capable of knocking them out.

"We have the belief and a strong togetherness to show we are a different team now.

"In the first half of the home game last year we were spectators a little bit and were a bit inhibited.

"I believe that confidence-wise and mentally we are a completely different team today."

Wenger added: "Losing to Barcelona made us better because we came out of the second game with a lot of frustrations after missing the turning point when we were 1-0 up.

"We are in an ideal condition to face Barcelona. We cannot complain, we have the belief, the confidence and the players available.

"We want to show how good we are. We want to show the belief we have in our game and in our quality."

Wenger stated that disposing of the Spanish champions - the second leg is in Barcelona on March 8 - would offer a tantalising glimpse of Champions League glory.

"We want to win this competition and we know the only way to do that is to beat the super-favourites," he said.

"Barcelona are certainly the best team in the world at the moment."

Arsenal welcome back Nasri from his hamstring injury while Tomas Rosicky has recovered from a groin problem, but Abou Diaby is out with a sore calf.

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola admitted his players could be "chasing shadows" if they are not at their best against Arsenal.

He has promised to remain true to the Barcelona way, with possession and attack the order of the day, although he admits Wenger's team's style of play could leave his side on the back foot if they are not on top form.

"With Arsenal if you are not well prepared you will be chasing shadows," said Guardiola.

"I like to watch Arsenal play football but I don't like to play against them. Of course I have worries about the game that Arsene Wenger plays. Theo Walcott has some good moments, Wenger is an incredible coach and Robin van Persie is a very mobile player who has a lot of influence.

"When you play Arsenal you know what is required of you. The players of Barcelona know what we have to do.

"We will try to play attractive football, we have for the last 20-25 years. We might lose, we might win but we will always play attractive football for our fans."

Guardiola, whose side drew against Sporting Gijon at the weekend, has pinpointed at least one away goal as the minimum requirement for the first leg.

"The main objective is to play well, to try to dominate all the play," he said. "We will try to score a goal because scoring away from home is very important.

"We want to bring at least a goal back to Barcelona."