Daniel Rocca, BARCELONA PENYA UAE
Barcelona face Arsenal at home in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 and with an advantage of two away goals, most people would be forgiven for thinking that this is a mere formality.
At the Emirates two weeks ago, Barca were superior and deserving of their victory. The Catalans remain unbeaten this year so the result was not too unexpected. The biggest danger now is complacency, but Luis Enrique’s biggest contribution to this group of talented players has been instilling a great attitude when dealing with such situations.
Considering Arsenal’s poor form, Barcelona should win this second leg, too. Arsene Wenger’s men will look to keep their defence solid and then will look to spring a surprise on the counter attack. But stopping Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez – the most fearsome forward line in football – will be no mean feat.
?Luis Enrique: "In London we overcame what Arsenal threw at us, and tomorrow we have to do it again." #FCBLive pic.twitter.com/dlymaYrAsS
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 15, 2016
PREDICTION: Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal
LIKELY BARCELONA XI: Ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar
BARCELONA PLAYER TO WATCH: Messi. He has been in scintillating form, scoring and assisting at will. He also netted both goals against Arsenal in London and has an impressive record against the Premier League side.
ARSENAL PLAYER TO FEAR: Alexis Sanchez. Former players have a habit of performing well against their old clubs – Alexis was a popular figure during his time at Barca and his ex-team-mates will need to be wary of his pace and power.
FAVOURITE BARCELONA-ARSENAL MOMENT: It has to be the 2006 Champions League final – thanks Jens Lehmann!
WHERE TO WATCH: The Penya UAE will be at the usual haunt, Seville’s restaurant in WAFI mall.
TWITTER: @barcauae
FACEBOOK: Barca Fan Club UAE
Richard D’Cruze, ARSENAL UAE
Arsenal travel to the Nou Camp on Wednesday for the fourth time in the Champions League; and those matches between the two teams have been nothing but entertaining, although the Gunners have not done well historically and this fixture could not have come at a worse time.
The past few weeks have been ridiculous with Arsenal picking up only one point from three Premier League fixtures – which has seriously dented hopes of winning their first domestic title in 12 years – and getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford. We could win the match, but as history has shown, it’s near on impossible to knock the Spanish giants out of Europe’s elite competition in their own backyard – especially when they have a two-away goal advantage.
Arsenal really miss Santi Carzorla as the midfield is a shambles without him while Aaron Ramsey, Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky (fans fear that we may never see the ‘Little Mozart ever feature again for us after his latest injury) are all sidelined.
Forget the recent results and hopes of qualifying for the Champions League quarter-finals, this is the about recovering some semblance of pride and form.
“We cannot afford to concede against them.” @Mertesacker on @Arsenal’s #FCBvAFC game plan: https://t.co/4SPU0AnJRL pic.twitter.com/13wFhDE7CZ
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 15, 2016
PREDICTION: Barcelona 0-1 Arsenal
LIKELY ARSENAL XI: Ospina, Monreal, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Elneny, Coquelin, Sanchez, Ozil, Campbell, Welbeck
ARSENAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Mesut Ozil. Our tireless worker must do what he does best, drill those passes in around the penalty area and hope the rest of the team can make good use of them.
BARCELONA PLAYER TO WATCH: Neymar, Suarez and Messi. It’s depressing, really – any of them could, and probably will, run rings around Per Mertesacker.
FAVOURITE BARCA-ARSENAL MEMORY: The Gunners have only won once against Barca, even though that 2-1 victory in 2011 is tinged by sadness given we still lost the tie.
WHERE TO WATCH: Arsenal UAE’s Dubai branch gathers at Velocity Bar JW Marquis in Business Bay. For Gunners in the capital, the Arsenal UAE Abu Dhabi chapter gather at Harvester’s at the Holiday Inn Downtown.
TWITTER: @AFCUAE
FACEBOOK: Arsenal UAE
