Abou Diaby will give their midfield something to think about, his driving runs from midfield will force Xavi and Iniesta backwards and hopefully allow Cesc to have more space in the final third to do what he does best
The guessing is over, the wanting or wanting to avoid cannot can be forgotten about. We have been dealt our cards and the unlucky side that will have to face this hungry Arsenal squad will be FC Barcelona.
It is no longer about nerves or doubt, we should all be bullish and confident in our abilities. I have no doubt that Barca would not have wanted to face us at this stage.
The dates of the first leg will be on 30th or 31st March, and then 6th or 7th April for the second and final leg of the quarters.
This is a wonderful draw, a match of pure and utter beauty. If we are to lift this trophy then you would imagine that we would have to face Barcelona at some stage so now that the draw has been dealt, I am more than happy for it to be played out.
I have watched Barcelona’s last two matches and they have played fantastically well in both games. Lionel Messi has been the stand out player, scoring a hat-trick in La Liga against Valencia and then a brace in the Champions League against Stuttgart. In my eyes he is the best player in world football in his position right now and the whole team will have to be at their best defensively to stop him jinking inside and causing us problems.
As much as Gooners are looking at Barcelona and worrying about their attacking power, I am sure Barcelona supporters will be looking at Arsenal and worrying about Arshavin, Cesc, Nasri and Theo Walcott.
There will be many on pitch battles that will be very interesting. As I have already spoken about Messi against Gael Clichy. Clichy will be dragged inside on his weaker right foot more often than not and he will have to watch the natural attacking instincts of Daniel Alves.
The midfield battle will be the most mouthwatering feature over the two legs. Xavi, Iniesta and possibly Toure against hopefully Song, Diaby and Cesc Fabregas.
Abou Diaby will give their midfield something to think about, his driving runs from midfield will force Xavi and Iniesta backwards and hopefully allow Cesc to have more space in the final third to do what he does best.
Arsenal are hardly ever given space in behind the opposition but Barca play a high line and press from the front, I would not be surprised if Theo Walcott was to start in the second leg in the Camp Nou depending on what the first leg score is like.
I had almost forgotten the big sub plot. Thierry Henry returning to his spiritual home. Thierry Henry has been out of the team until a couple of games ago when he made an impact from the bench which earnt him a start against Stuttgart.
Whatever happens, this should be a truly amazing two legs of football. I cannot imagine two sides in world footballing trying to play the game as beautifully as ourselves and Barcelona. All I hope for is for our squad to remain injury free and our good run continues. If that is the case then we have as good a chance as any to beat the Spanish Arsenal.
Away from the Champions League for a moment, I would like to say well done to the Europa teams last night. Usually I do not care very much about the Mickey mouse competition but it could well have done us some good before the weekend. Liverpool beat Lille 3-0 thanks to goals from their golden duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, regaining some form and confidence just in time for their weekend trip to Old Trafford. There are not many games left for our rivals to slip up on and a big game against their rivals is one of a few potential banana skins. Last season those two players ripped Manchester United apart 4-1 at the same ground, a repeat of the same would go down a treat. Wishful thinking? Perhaps but you never know.
[clap clap clap clap] Well done to Fulham for pulling out a marvelous display against giants Juventus. What a contrast between Serie A and West London in a matter of days. Inter coming and beating Chelsea whilst Fulham teaching Juventus a lesson. I do not have a bad word to say against Fulham and Roy Hodgson in particular. They could teach their neighbours a lesson in class, that is for sure.
Right, all this excitement has made me hungry.
Back again tomorrow.
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