Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Arsenal midfielders Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey and keeper Petr Cech will return for Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 tie against holders Barcelona.
They were rested for Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round draw with Hull.
Barca will recall defender Gerard Pique, who was rested for the win at Las Palmas, and midfielder Sergio Busquets, who was suspended.
Editor’s Note: The tie we’ve all been waiting for. Arsenal play host to Barcelona in the Champions League and the question is can Arsene Wenger mastermind a win against the holders and keep the MSN of Messi, Neymar and Suarez at bay.
The changes were rung on Saturday with this game in mind as Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw with Championship side Hull. 24 chances on Goal that Luncthime but they couldn’t get past Eldin Jakupovic who arguably had the game of his life in between the sticks.
That draw means a replay and potential fixture congestion, something that won’t be aided if they progress to the Quarter Finals of this competition. But that’s a nice problem to have if you’re still competing on three fronts come March and you would feel that Arsenal’s squad is deep enough to see them challenge all the way to the end of the season
Although a frustrating draw on Saturday against Hull there is still a huge wave of optimism at The Emirates after their crucial win over Leicester a couple of weeks ago. The key thing now will be carrying this momentum into the two encounters with Barcelona and beating who Arsene Wenger has declared “Super Favourites”
The reason Barcelona have been given that tag is that they have been pretty unstoppable this season and you wouldn’t look too much further than the Catalan side as to who will win this season’s edition of the competition and subsequently be the first side to ever retain the Champions League.
They weren’t quite at their best on Saturday as they were tested by Las Palmas but still came away with a 2-1 win. That coupled with Atletico and Real Madrid’s draws on Sunday has given Barcelona an almost unassailable lead in La Liga. They are 8 points clear of Atletico at present and in the form they are in I can’t even see them losing 3 games between now and the end of the season
Arsenal are going to be up for this one and will no doubt try to raise their game and hope to emulate the repeat of their 2011 performance when they came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 at The Emirates. Some Arsenal fans say that was arguably the greatest game played since their move from Highbury.
They are going to need something like that if they are to have any chance of not just winning but staying in the tie, Barcelona always look like they have a goal to concede but with their attack line they can afford to. You would have to make Barcelona rightfully favourites but who knows what might happen under The Emirates floodlights.
I’m going to go for a Barcelona win but I would imagine it will be a both teams to score situation. A close away win for me with Arsenal still keeping the tie alive for the return leg.
