Reigning European champions Barcelona travel to London to face Arsenal on Tuesday night in the first leg of their last 16 tie. The Gunners have not gone past this stage in the last five seasons and the odds are against them again as Barcelona are determined to become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League trophy after the mighty AC Milan back in 1990. The Catalans have won both previous encounters over two legs with Arsenal, last one was 4-3 on aggregate in 2011. However, on that occasion Arsenal secured a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have lost just two of their thirteen games at home against Spanish sides.
Arsenal had a tough time in the group stage, they barely managed to pull through after consecutive defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos in the first two games. They recovered with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich and another couple of wins in the last two games saw them through, but only on goal difference. Last season they were defeated by AS Monaco at the same stage of the competition after a terrible first leg at home. Last weekend the Gunners were held to a goalless draw in the FA Cup by Hull City, but in the Premier League they recorded a last-gasp victory over leaders Leicester City. Wenger rested some of his stars against Hull, but Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Gabriel Paulista remain sidelined.
Barcelona have beaten Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final, and that was the start of a brilliant era for the club. That was just their second success in the competition, but since then they have won it four times. Never consecutively though, and that's something the current team wants to achieve. They are on a remarkable 32-match unbeaten streak, a new club record, with 98 goals scored in the process and 16 clean sheets kept. They have not lost since the start of October, they are 8 points clear at the top of the Primera Liga table and already through to the Copa del Rey final. Arda Turan is suspended for the match while Rafinha will miss out through injury.
Probable line-ups:
Arsenal: Cech - Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal - Coquelin, Ramsey - Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez - Giroud
Barcelona: Ter Stegen - Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba - Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta - Messi, Suarez, Neymar
My prediction: Barcelona to win 4-2.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Arsenal win - 5.00 Draw - 4.20 Barcelona win - 1.70
sharpe
8 years ago
Arsenal were outplayed in this clash and it's not a shameful thing against team like Barcelona but really all season long they didn't play very well, for except maybe 2 or 3 games so it's really not good enough from Wenger & co. Out of the CL and out of the PL title race from what could be a great season for Arsenal. I...
Arsenal were outplayed in this clash and it's not a shameful thing against team like Barcelona but really all season long they didn't play very well, for except maybe 2 or 3 games so it's really not good enough from Wenger & co. Out of the CL and out of the PL title race from what could be a great season for Arsenal. I guess the future of Arsene Wenger is really uncertain now.
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galata86 8 years ago
Barcelona is unstoppable. They play perfectly. I expected such an easy win over Arsenal. I think this team can defend the title Champions League this year. Arsenal had been too passive, against Barcelona they had to play offensive, because their defense is the weakest part of the team.
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milo?.sekuli?
8 years ago
It is really hard to choose which game to watch tonight. Although playing in front of their own fans, Arsenal shouldn't have hopes against this Barcelona. They dont have such a quality defense that can confront perhaps the best attack ever in football. If they are able to achieve one goal, I think that they will concede...
It is really hard to choose which game to watch tonight. Although playing in front of their own fans, Arsenal shouldn't have hopes against this Barcelona. They dont have such a quality defense that can confront perhaps the best attack ever in football. If they are able to achieve one goal, I think that they will concede three. In my opinion Barcelona is finishing the job tonight.
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h34dhunt3r
8 years ago
I hate uefa for putting those two amazing matches at the same night. I know its "roll a dice" system but I can't stress enough how much I want to watch both games. Barcelona is ofcourse a huge favourite is this one, MSN combo should be able to overtake Arsenals shacky defence. It's still first leg, played on Emirates stadium...
I hate uefa for putting those two amazing matches at the same night. I know its "roll a dice" system but I can't stress enough how much I want to watch both games. Barcelona is ofcourse a huge favourite is this one, MSN combo should be able to overtake Arsenals shacky defence. It's still first leg, played on Emirates stadium so for tonight we might see draw, or even Arsenal win but highly unlickely. I can only say for sure that Barcelona is going into next round. My predictions: - Result: 1:1 - Man of the match: Petr Cech
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
I am looking forward to the match of two teams that enjoy the football in the same way.Most important fat is that Barcelona is enjoying it pretty much better.Everything except a win for Catalan giant would be great surprise.Arsenal is not capable of eliminating Barcelona,yet. My prediction for tonight is 1 2 win for los...
I am looking forward to the match of two teams that enjoy the football in the same way.Most important fat is that Barcelona is enjoying it pretty much better.Everything except a win for Catalan giant would be great surprise.Arsenal is not capable of eliminating Barcelona,yet. My prediction for tonight is 1 2 win for los Cules,with Suarez as a man of the match.
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