Champions League is back into action, the most elite competition where top European clubs compete to become the continental champions. With the group stage already over, there have been very few upsets in terms of the final 16 teams who could make it to the knock out stage. We now arrive at the round of 16, where each opponent plays 2-legged matches on home and away basis starts on 15th February.
There have been some interesting fixtures in this round. AC Milan and Tottenham play against each other. There’s another tricky tie with Inter Milan facing Bayern Munich. But the most mouth watering fixture, of course, is Arsenal and Barcelona. Two of the world’s best clubs who play with the most attractive attacking display and “total football” which very few clubs can ever match. Both the teams play a similar game, i.e, they like to keep pressing the opponent and attack on the break, which makes this fixture a very interesting one.
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But according to critics, the result will be a little off-balance, with Barcelona being termed as the favorites. Barcelona defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the 2006 Champions League final. Arsenal were also beaten 6-3 aggregate by Barcelona last season in the Champions League Quarter-Final fixture. This season also Barcelona are one of the hot favorites to win the Champions League. Unbeaten since September in the La Liga and also unbeaten in the group stage of the competition, Barcelona also posses the most complete squad ever. Footballer of the year, Lionel Messi is scoring goals this season like never before. With David Villa always a theat infront of the goal, Barcelona’s attack is well supported by Xavi and Iniesta. Abidal and Victor Valdez at the post, have also improved at the back.
Arsenal, on the other side have also improved since the last season. They have shown some consistency and aggressiveness which is rewarded as a current second place in the English Premier League and a chance to win the league also. Arsenal have a good chance to win back some silverware this season being qualified to play Carling Cup final against Birmingham City. Arsenal is the only team this season which is currently alive in all the four competitions it is participating. Arsenal have their major strength in Robin van Persie. The Dutch international is in the form of his life scoring 11 goals in the last 9 appearance since being back from an injury. In-form French international, Samir Nasri is a 50-50 chance due to injury. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already stated that he will not risk playing Nasri which could bring further setback to this injury problems. Captain Cesc fabregas has always been an inspiration for the team. They will get some support from Song, Wilshere and Walcott. But Arsenal still posses some defensive glitters which could be a problem for them facing Barcelona.
With Barcelona being coined as the favorites, Arsenal still posses the ammo to knock out the Spanish giants. Arsenal will pose a tough challenge at their home turf,The Emirates. But can they survive 2 games against the team that define a complete new era of football?
