Everything you need to know about the Champions League round of 16 match as Arsène Wenger's side take on the reigning champions, including team news, TV channel and odds
When and where is it?
Arsenal host Barcelona in the Champions League Round of 16, first leg tie at the Emirates, in one of the games of the tournament so far tonight. The match kicks off at 7.45pm ( 10:45 pm in East Africa)
The deciding leg will take place in three weeks, at Camp Nou on Wednesday, March 22.
The Emirates plays host to Arsenal v Barcelona
The deciding leg will take place in three weeks, at Camp Nou on Wednesday, March 22.
The Emirates plays host to Arsenal v Barcelona
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar will give Arsenal's defence a severe testJust favourite the page and check back in an hour before kick-off to get the team news and full build-up, with post-match analysis and reaction to follow.
Free-to-air highlights are broadcast on ITV1 on Wednesday, February 24 at 11.05pm
What is the team news?
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar will give Arsenal's defence a severe testJust favourite the page and check back in an hour before kick-off to get the team news and full build-up, with post-match analysis and reaction to follow.
Free-to-air highlights are broadcast on ITV1 on Wednesday, February 24 at 11.05pm
What is the team news?
Arsenal will be without their three long-term casualties Santi Cazorla, Thomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere while Gabriel, the Brazilian centre-back, is thought to be a week away from returning following a hamstring strain.
Joel Campbell, Olivier Giroud and Mesut Özil are a booking away from a ban.
Olivier Giroud is close to a ban
Arda Turan is suspended for Barcelona and Rafinha is out until at least the end of March following knee surgery last September.
Gerard Pique is a yellow card away from a ban.
Likely starting XIs
Arsenal Cech; BellerÃn, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil, Sánchez; Giroud.
Barcelona Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar.
Alexis Sanchez faces his old club for the first time since joining Arsenal
Arsenal will be without their three long-term casualties Santi Cazorla, Thomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere while Gabriel, the Brazilian centre-back, is thought to be a week away from returning following a hamstring strain.
Joel Campbell, Olivier Giroud and Mesut Özil are a booking away from a ban.
Olivier Giroud is close to a ban
Arda Turan is suspended for Barcelona and Rafinha is out until at least the end of March following knee surgery last September.
Gerard Pique is a yellow card away from a ban.
Likely starting XIs
Arsenal Cech; BellerÃn, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil, Sánchez; Giroud.
Barcelona Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar.
Arsenal Cech; BellerÃn, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil, Sánchez; Giroud.
Barcelona Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar.
Alexis Sanchez faces his old club for the first time since joining ArsenalWhat are the odds?
Arsenal – 4/1
Draw – 3/1
Barcelona – 8/11
Arsenal – 4/1
Draw – 3/1
Barcelona – 8/11
Draw – 3/1
Barcelona – 8/11
What are they saying?
“We have to find the right balance between being audacious but also strong defensively as a unit and not put ourselves in a difficult task in the second leg.
“No team is perfect. Barcelona are not far from it. We need to take our chances. Barcelona are super favourites, we need to raise the urgency level. Tomorrow everybody is convinced we need to absolutely be totally focused to have a chance.”
“I know that individually Messi, Suárez and Neymar have exceptional talent; the only way we can beat them is collectively. Resilience, great solidarity, intelligent as well, let’s not forget that we have a good defensive record and a great goalkeeper as well. They have a team who can score at any moment, even when dominated.”
Luis Enrique has been far more terse. "Arsenal will no doubt make things complicated and they have the quality to trouble us," he said. It will be difficult, they [Champions League games] all are."
Luis Suarez - one of the Barcelona danger men
“We have to find the right balance between being audacious but also strong defensively as a unit and not put ourselves in a difficult task in the second leg.
“No team is perfect. Barcelona are not far from it. We need to take our chances. Barcelona are super favourites, we need to raise the urgency level. Tomorrow everybody is convinced we need to absolutely be totally focused to have a chance.”
“I know that individually Messi, Suárez and Neymar have exceptional talent; the only way we can beat them is collectively. Resilience, great solidarity, intelligent as well, let’s not forget that we have a good defensive record and a great goalkeeper as well. They have a team who can score at any moment, even when dominated.”
Luis Enrique has been far more terse. "Arsenal will no doubt make things complicated and they have the quality to trouble us," he said. It will be difficult, they [Champions League games] all are."
Luis Suarez - one of the Barcelona danger menWhat is their form coming into this game?
Barcelona are unbeaten in 32 games since a defeat by Sevilla on October 3. They are eight points clear at the top of La Liga, having won their last eight matches in succession, won the Club World Cup in December and the Uefa Super Cup last September. They also won their Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia 8-1 on aggregate and will play Sevilla in the final in May. Luis Suárez has scored 41 goals in all competitions, Lionel Messi 27 and Neymar 23.
Lionel Messi with his third and Barca's fifth European Cup
Arsenal have rebounded from the 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea on Jan 24 to draw with Southampton and defeat Bournemouth and Premier League leaders Leicester City. They stand third in the Premier League, two points behind Leicester and drew in the fifth-round of the FA Cup with Championship leaders Hull on Saturday.
Barcelona are unbeaten in 32 games since a defeat by Sevilla on October 3. They are eight points clear at the top of La Liga, having won their last eight matches in succession, won the Club World Cup in December and the Uefa Super Cup last September. They also won their Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia 8-1 on aggregate and will play Sevilla in the final in May. Luis Suárez has scored 41 goals in all competitions, Lionel Messi 27 and Neymar 23.
Lionel Messi with his third and Barca's fifth European Cup
Arsenal have rebounded from the 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea on Jan 24 to draw with Southampton and defeat Bournemouth and Premier League leaders Leicester City. They stand third in the Premier League, two points behind Leicester and drew in the fifth-round of the FA Cup with Championship leaders Hull on Saturday.
Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez
Petr Cech will be in for a busy night
Who will win?
Barcelona ought to have too much attacking power for Arsenal and terrific though Petr Cech is – and with happy experiences of beating Barcelona with Chelsea – only Arsenal diehards, optimists or the unbalanced would bank on a home win. Arsenal 1-3 Barcelona.
Petr Cech will be in for a busy night
Who will win?
Barcelona ought to have too much attacking power for Arsenal and terrific though Petr Cech is – and with happy experiences of beating Barcelona with Chelsea – only Arsenal diehards, optimists or the unbalanced would bank on a home win. Arsenal 1-3 Barcelona.
BARCELONA vs ARSENAL
Reviewed by loy1
on
February 23, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by loy1
on
February 23, 2016
Rating:
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