Emmanuel Eboue is the perfect outlet away from home, pace, work rate, high energy. Hopefully he can start Theo’s work way before he comes onto the pitch. Éric Abidal is likely to replace Maxwell and give Barcelona some more pace but as we know

Well this is it folks, the moment of truth is almost upon us. Unfortunately we are faced with an injury cloud above our heads yet again. A room full of thuggish cloggers couldn’t make us anymore down to the bare bones as we already are.

Add three more players and that is a team that could give Barcelona a run for their money. Arguably that could be a better side that will take to the pitch tomorrow.

Alex Song is the latest casualty to join the packed treatment room of Arsenal first team players. There is one think dealing with squad players suffering injuries or even a few first team players but when you spine has been ripped out and then stepped on for good measure then you know your luck is not in.

Luckily for Arsenal, luck is not the only factor. This group of mostly young players have swatted away any adversity that has come there way so far. This was a team judged not good enough to gain European football next season let alone a top four place. According to the narrow minded pundits, spending vast sums of money was is the only way to progress.

But I digress. Many hurdles have been placed in front of us and we have leapt high above. This time we are faced with a double sized hurdle whilst only being able to hop.

The first leg was exciting, breathtaking, scintillating and emotional. It was one of the best games I have seen at the Emirates. As we know Barcelona were exceptional in the first half, both technically and defensively. It didn’t help that we stood off them and let them ping the ball around as if we didn’t exist. Myself being the body language expert that I am. noticed the hurt and anger on Arsene’s face after the game. We had come from 2-0 down and pulled the game back to 2-2 yet Arsene Wenger was distraught.

Why was this? I cannot answer that of course but my own personal feelings were that the team let themselves down in front of so many viewers around the world. Arsene’s team can pass and move better than most and even it being the best 45 minute display from a Barcelona side in Pep Guardiola’s career as a manager, Wenger would have wanted his side to have had their share of the ball because that is what Arsenal do.

Barcelona are stronger in the Camp Nou than they are away from it but I can see Arsenal having a much better share of the possession.

The players had to learn the hard way, they will have to defend from the front much better than they did last Wednesday. Barcelona must not be allowed to get into their rhythm because once that happens then the likes of Messi, Xavi and co will pick the Gunners off at will.

Arsene will have to select a balanced side, one that can stop Barcelona playing as well as having enough to hurt them in the final third. of the pitch. Much of the pre match build up has been about the pace of Theo Walcott, he has been singled out as the danger man but I think Wenger will keep that option tucked away on the bench until legs tire and a goal is needed.

Emmanuel Eboue is the perfect outlet away from home, pace, work rate, high energy. Hopefully he can start Theo’s work way before he comes onto the pitch. Éric Abidal is likely to replace Maxwell and give Barcelona some more pace but as we know, a bit more pace is never enough compared to the electric Theo of the Walcott (sounded good at the time).

Due to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury we could well witness Thierry Henry leading the line which will be a more difficult task for our defenders in my eyes, regardless of the two goals the Swede scored in the first leg. Thierry’s pace, even if not the same as it once was will certainly be enough to trouble Vermaelen and more so Sol Campbell if he passes his fitness test.

I think that Samir Nasri will start in the wide position with Tomas Rosicky playing in a central position. That is how the two started against Porto at the Emirates, but if both play then both players will move and interchange.

One to watch: Samir Nasri

Without of inspirational captain the string pulling and creative spark needs to come from other members of the team. Sami Nasri is currently in fine form and made the difference once again when he came on against Wolves. I hope he can force his own game onto the Barcelona defenders and make them worry about his dribbling and passing abilities.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Wenger’s options have disappeared by the second so this side cannot be too far off what we are going to see tonight. Can the boys do it? They sure can, we have been to Madrid, Milan and Roma and pulled off some wonderful victories in the past but with the squad decimated through injuries I have my doubts.

Whatever happens in the Camp Nou, I will be proud of these Gooners. We have not been expected to win at many places in the past, can the boys do it again?

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Oh how I would love to be incorrect this time.

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