Champions League Round of 16 (2nd Leg) Arsenal v Barcelona; Match Preview
When I woke up Monday morning I had an entirely different approach in mind to this piece. But as that day started off, surpise of surprises to hear that Robin Van Persie has indeed travelled with the squad to Barcleona. He did in deed practice with the squad on Sunday in preparation for the match.
So with that, my hopes are up, but it is still a monumental task the Gunners face. It was just about year ago on the same pitch that Nicklas Bendtner gave us all a surprise shock with an away goal only to watch that give way to a Lionel Messi masterclass. It becomes even harder this season as Barcelona have scored 37 goals and conceded 8 at the Nou Camp. So this will be no easy task.
The task for Barcelona will not be made easier though by the fact that their first choice centre backs are missing. Carles Puyol was pronounced unfit to play yesterday and Pique will serve a suspension following the yellow he received at the Emirates. Still when you have an attack as potent as Barcelona do how much do you need your centre backs to be stars? The loss of Puyol is big for them as he is as much the heart of that team as anyone. Sure Messi and company do the magic with their feet but there is something reassuring and strong about Puyol in the back as their leader. His presence or lack thereof as well as Pique cannot be underestimated and Wenger should be looking for a way to exploit it.
But the real talk is less about the absences of those two players and more about the surprise return of Robin Van Persie to the squad. It literally came out of nowhere. Nothing from the press, no word from the player. Hell, the last report I saw was that he had gone back to Holland for treatment. But no, he is with the team and was training with them on Sunday in the final prep before the match. What’s interesting about it is Wenger does not play these kind of games. He never has. So I don’t know what to say is up but knowing that Wenger does not let players who are unfit travel with the squad it is at least an assumption that he will at least be on the bench for a super-sub role.
What is even more curious is the absolute apoplectic reaction from the Spanish press about it. Martin Samuel in the Mail said it was Arsenal’s gaul (in a mocking way) that the mess with the sanctity of the lily white Barcelona preparations. What he really went on to say is that it really sounds that Van Persie adds a bit of fear because of his form. I don’t know whether that is true or not, but hey it sounded good to me.
How much Van Persie will feature if any, remains to be seen. He could very well be along for the ride to keep Guardiola guessing about how Arsenal are planning to set up. He could actually be healthy and the knee scare was just a temporary thing that needed a few days off. I do not think this is a case of Wenger rushing a player back. If anything this season, Wenger does not seem eager to get back players to the in hurry post -injury. He does seem intent on letting the player heal. So if Van Persie is here it is either because he is fit or he is as close to fit as can be.
But without a Van Persie starting what can we expect? Many, including Barca are expecting an open affair but I am going to tell you I see it differently. If Arsenal play this wide open at Nou Camp – we will get sliced up. Arsenal are going to play looking for the counter to develop via Arshavin and Nasri. Nasri made Barca work last time. He can do so again and Arshavin’s strike outside the box shows how deadly he can be if he is given the room to operate. I especially like there ability one on one against Alves and Maxwell. Sure they are quick (but not as quick as Walcott) but they are also very skilled at beating players on an individual level. The other thing is they are both very good at getting the ball in the box and this why I want to see Wenger start Chamakh as the forward.
Chamakh has a Champion’s League pedigree and was part and parcel of Bourdeaux’s run in the competition last season. Bendy is coming on and I have been convinced that the lad is starting to come on but he still does not seem to deliver when we really need him to. With Chamakh’s header strength – every one is a freakin rifle shot – and crosses from Arshavin, Nasri, Clichy and Sagna on the counter, Chamakh could wind up being a very instrumental part in this game if played. Sure I think Bendy could do it to. But his heading ability always strikes me as more luck than skill. What Chamakh needs to do though is start being greedy. He is a good player but he often times passes (even when in the box) when he should shoot. Not like we complain about that alot or anything. Right?
Either way whoever starts up front needs to use their size to their advantage.
As for who replaces the injured Alex Song I am hoping for Abou Diaby. When Diaby and Denilson combine on a pitch it slows us down. Denilson needs two touches for him to get started. The problem is he usually only has time for one touch before his second touch finds its way to an opposing player. Diaby has his height and strength going for him. He is also good at getting the ball into a team’s final third. What he does wrong is what he does with the ball once he gets there. If he cannot dish the ball out better in that area than he could cause us headaches on a counter. However the presence of Cesc in the midfield always seems to improve his performance.
Finally, my eyes will be on three players in particular. First Jack Wilshere. I just finished watching Pep Guardiola’s pre-game comments to the press and when asked about Wilshere he said “he’s a good player for Arsenal and England. We have many like him in our “B” team.” Ouch Josep. Need I remind you that little Jack Wilshere had his way with your “A” team midfield. Jack has shown uncanny poise throughout the season. He is completely unfazed by the level at which he plays. If he is 19 and this way imagine the skill he will show when he is 23 and beyond. Wilshere is growing in stature and will surely one day take his place among Arsenal greats. This tie could expedite that.
The other players I will watch will be Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna. Both are going to have the delight of defending against Messi. Koscielny in my opinion was man of the match in the last leg. The kid makes mistakes of that there is no doubt but in his first real Champion’s League test he was amazing against Messi and he used his height advantage to crowd out the Argentinian maestro. For Sagna, who is to me the best RB in the EPL and one of the top 10 in Europe – he will get first dibs on Messi before Koscielny does. Sagna makes almost no mistakes and we didn’t have him in the first and it is why Koscielny had to come up big against him – Eboue didn’t have the presence to slow him down. Sagna does.
All in all though when it really comes down to it, I think for Arsenal it all comes down to this – do the players believe they have what it takes win. Do they have the desire to win. The players can play this game. They’ve shown that – especially in the first leg. Alot is being made about the change of venues. I find that to be bull crap. Spanish stadiums are not nearly as raucus as English – they are a walk in the park in comparison. So that has to be taken out of the equation. If they believe they can do it – they will.
We talk about Barca’s arrogance. It is to some extent but it is also a belief in their own abilities and talent that propels them forward. You have to have it if you are going to succeed. We’ve all discussed the mental side of Arsenal’s development in the last few years. We’ve talked about collapses after players go off horribly injured or after players are absent for long periods of time. But now it all comes down to this simple fact – if the starting XI believe they can beat Barca then they have fought 3/4 of the battle. The remaining 25% has to be done on the pitch.
By the way there is one other and slightly less known reason why I think Arsenal will win – we won’t be wearing those god-awful third “Spurs” kits from last season. I don’t think we won one game with them last season.
So here it is my lineups for the match.
Probable Starting XI:
No prediction. I just don’t know. I keep going back and forth on this match. I definitely can see ways Arsenal win this. I also see ways that Arsenal can lose this. It really is going to come down to that all important first goal. The longer Arsenal can hold Barca at bay the more it favors the visitors. It’s weird saying that because it is what we say against sides in the EPL playing against Arsenal. If Arsenal can manage to snatch the first goal – say around the 25 minute mark. I like their chances. If the cough up the first goal, it could get dicey.
Either way this is going to be a good match. I am looking forward to it.
See you on the flip side.
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