There could also be a very good argument for starting Marouane Chamakh over Bendtner, for one Chamakh is a better presser of the ball and we will need that in full effect. He is also fresher than Bendtner after playing less minutes in recent weeks and another theory is that he links up the midfield better than the Dane who can always be used as an impact substitute late on if we need his presence

Arsenal could be heading into what is potentially our most difficult game of the season this evening. Barcelona at Camp Nou has proven to be a massive test for pretty much all who have gone there in the last few years.

Both teams will not be quite at full strength although Robin Van Persie looks like a welcome boost to the squad. The Dutchman was expected to be out for a few weeks but seems to have made a rapid recovery. He could well take his place on the bench which could be Arsene’s ace up his sleeve if he needs it. What we do not need is to take a gamble on his fitness and for that to backfire. He should only start the game if 100% fit but I think I would rather start him against West Brom and use him late in the second half if we need his services. It would be nice if we didn’t need his services.

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has defensive problems to sort out, both his first choice central defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol will not feature due to suspension and injury respectively. It probably means a shift around in positions for both Eric Abidal and Sergio Busquets who may take the place of their first choice stoppers. I don’t quite know what that says about the Barcelona back up defenders but clearly the likes of Milito and company cannot be jumping for joy.

It will be down to our attacking players to put the Barcelona defence under some sort of pressure because it will be an area that we should be able to give them some sort of problems.

As happy as I am to see Robin back in the squad, I would have been well and truly over the moon had Theo Walcott somehow made a miraculous recovery in time for tonight’s game. Last season he caused them problems and that was without the supporting cast of Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Robin. All players who could have picked him out on the break, instead I hope Andrey Arshavin will be the player making off the ball runs to get in behind Alves or perhaps even Maxwell on the opposite side.

With Dani Alves’ tendency to bomb forward and support the attack I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Nasri and Arshavin switch positions much in the way they did in the first leg last season.

Barcelona will have more of the possession and it would be a massive risk to ask Arshavin to track Alves for the whole 90 minutes. It simply wouldn’t happen and we could be carved apart down our left. Maxwell will also get forward whenever he can but Barcelona tend to use Alves more than their left sided Brazilian. We need Arshavin as fresh as possible for making runs and playing defence splitting passes when we have the ball in dangerous areas.

There could also be a very good argument for starting Marouane Chamakh over Bendtner, for one Chamakh is a better presser of the ball and we will need that in full effect. He is also fresher than Bendtner after playing less minutes in recent weeks and another theory is that he links up the midfield better than the Dane who can always be used as an impact substitute late on if we need his presence.

The only other question is who replaces Alex Song as our defensive midfield player. Denilson is probably more suited to the role in this type of game where physical strength is not an issue but his lack of recent confidence and form could give Abou Diaby a chance but I just cannot see Diaby being made to play a more defensive game against a side who will have so much of the ball. Physical strength is Diaby’s advantage over Denilson but this is not the Premier League where anything goes (if you play against Arsenal) so for that reason I expect Denilson to start and I hope he can do himself justice after the recent vitriol launched in his direction.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

One to watch: Laurent Koscielny

He was Arsenal’s man of the match in the first game and he will be very important once again against the best offence in the world. I expect Koscielny to have to make plenty of last ditch tackles and fingers crossed he gets them all spot on as he did in the first leg.

Key Battles to look out for:

Dani Alves vs Gael Clichy
Javier Mascherano vs Cesc Fabregas
Lionel Messi vs Laurent Koscielny
Xavier Hernandez vs Jack Wilshere
Maxwell Cabelino Andrade vs Andrey Arshavin/Emmanuel Eboue

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction:

Barcelona 3 Arsenal 1 (Nasri)

I am interested to see if the two teams approach the game in the same way as the first leg. If we do then we have to expect another high line with our forwards allowing their center backs to have the ball and once the ball gets played into midfield then the likes of Chamakh, Cesc, Wilshere and co will be snapping into the Barcelona players trying to win the ball back quickly and then play from their half. Barcelona will not allow our defenders time on the ball and then try and stop our midfielders from receiving passes.

It may prove rather difficult without Van Persie or Walcott starting the game. I think we will pose them problems and hopefully score an away goal but I think they will score just that one too many for us to take the game into extra time.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Arsene throw a spanner into the works and start someone like Eboue to replace Walcott’s pace on the right. Arshavin has had plenty of football in recent weeks and may use him to strengthen the bench even further. It would give the side the added defensive ability and the more I think about it, the more I think it is likely that Eboue will start ahead of Arshavin, but I am far too lazy to alter the blog and the line up image.

A good performance with fight along with a clean bill of health will do me just fine, anything else would be a lovely bonus.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS