Posted: Feb 23, 2016 | Updated: 7 months ago
Barcelona travel to Arsenal as they continue their campaign to be the first team to defend the Champions League.
The defending champions will no doubt head into the tie as the favourites but Arsenal will be able to take encouragement from the last time these sides met at the Emirates as they ran out 2-1 winners before eventually crashing out on aggregate.
The hosts head into the match on the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw against championship side Hull City in the FA cup, however they did rest players with the Champions League in mind.
Arsenal are going well in the league, after they secured a dramatic 2-1 win against leaders Leicester in their last match they moved within two points of the premier league summit.
The Catalan giants are in irresistible form at the moment are on a club record run of 32 games unbeaten in all competitions.
After they beat Las Palmas 2-1 at the weekend they moved eight points clear the top of La Liga after title rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both dropped points at the weekend.
Arsenal team news:
The Gunners have recently been handed a boost as England International Danny Welbeck is fit again and scored the last minute winner in their last league match.
The game has come too soon for Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, the latter is still 3-4 weeks away from a comeback.
Barcelona team news:
Apart from Rafinha, who is still out after suffering a serious knee injury earlier in the season, Head coach Luis Enrique has a fully fit squad to chose from.
Thomas Vermaelen could face Arsenal for the first time since leaving to join Barcelona in 2014.
Predicted Line-ups:
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter-Stagen, Alba, Pique, Mascherano, Alves, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Neymar, Messi, Suarez
Head to Head:
Arsenal have only ever managed one win against Barcelona and that came the last time these two sides met at the Emirates in the last 16 first leg in 2011.
Barcelona have managed four wins in seven matches against the gunners, including a 2-1 in the Champions League final 10 years ago.
Prediction:
I don’t think it will the walk-over that some people are predicting but i do feel that Barcelona will win the game.
Messi, Neymar and Suarez have scored 91 goals between them this season and for that reason i can’t see Barcelona not scoring on the night.
My prediction is Arsenal 1-2 Barcelona.
Manchester City have approached Guimaraes representatives over a potential move. The 26-year-old has made a name for himself at St James Park since arriving from Lyon in January 2022. Guimaraes has made 96 appearances for Newcastle United where he has found the back of the net 13 times and has…
Continue Reading...
There were times at Manchester United when supporting the club was a bed of roses. These days it is agony and despair every other week. The mentality of players which existed during the time of Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a nosedive since his departure. Not only the players, but…
Continue Reading...
Tuesday night's shootout saw Arsenal defeat FC Porto. This saw the Gunners through to their first Champions League Quarter Final for 14 years. Could this be a special season for the Gunners? The was a huge win inside the Emirates Stadium. David Raya had earlier kept out Porto winger Galeno's…
Continue Reading...
In the world of football, some names echo through time. Embodying the grace and artistry of the game. Among these icons stands Jay Jay Okocha, a Nigerian, virtuoso whose talent and charm mesmerized audiences globally. This profile sheds light on the life, journey, and lasting influence of one of football's…
Continue Reading...
The Premier League title race heats up after Manchester City and Liverpool drew 1-1 at Anfield. That result leaves Liverpool as joint leaders with Arsenal with City trailing by a point. The Gunners on the other hand lead the table with a better goal difference than Liverpool and had Kai…
Continue Reading...
Football is one of the most popular sports in the world, with an increasing number of individuals choosing to participate. Football scores are something that many like following online and rooting for their preferred team to win.
Continue Reading...
44 Shares More Posted: Mar 10, 2024 | Updated: 1 week ago Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has made significant strides while donning the Napoli Jersey. The 23-year-old is the current Serie A MVP holder, as he played a pivotal role in helping the club lift the Serie A title last season. While…
Continue Reading...