Arsenal vs Barcelona Preview

I found myself laughing uncontrollably when my manager told me about a church in Nigeria praying for Arsenal to beat Barcelona tonight. It's almost as though they had been watching the Sunday supplement on Sky sports over the weekend. Matt Law one of the sports journalists on the show said this "They (Arsenal) need to just pray, Barcelona are 32 games unbeaten-it's Harlem Globetrotter football we've been seeing in recent weeks." The odds seems so heavily stacked in their favour and the facts definitely support this notion. The last time Barcelona suffered a loss was way back in October last year. Meanwhile over the course of that time the famous trident MSN (Messi, Suarez, Neymar) have scored bucket-load of goals, 91 goals in all competitions to be infact. The main question is can Arsenal beat Barcelona and what would be there plan?


 If we look into the last 5 games between the two sides Arsenal have won and drawn once, losing three times,but it's not all gloom and doom the game they won was at home in 2011 thanks to goals from Van Persie and Arshavin( what happened to him??). Arsene Wenger was right in telling his players to go for it, down below is 5 keys which must be implemented in the game for Arsenal to record a famous win over Barcelona.


 1) Be patient. That's easier said then done the truth of the matter is Arsenal won't have the sort of possession they do in the premier league they will have to patient and pick their moments.

 2) Take your chances

 In the game against Hull,Arsenal had 24 shots(11 on target ), they have to be clinical because they won't be afforded many chances against Barcelona.

 3) Stay compact but break with pace

 Arsenal's defensive shape will be crucial tonight, they have to deny players like Messi and co any space in between the lines. Pressing them at the right moments,but when they win the ball back they will need to counter with pace to get right at Barcelona.

 4) Be wary of the away goal

 Conceding too many goals at the Emirates stadium tonight could end the tie prematurely. Of course MSN are in great form, but Arsenal can't afford to be giving out any free gifts on the field.

 5) My last and key plan is closing down and stifling Sergio busquets.

Since Xavi left Barcelona he is more than ever there crucial passing clog. Highly effective and supremely underrated troubling the impressive midfielder may open the door for Arsenal in the game