Potentially the best game of football on the planet.

Barcelona are undoubtedly the best team in the world and on our day, we are the most entertaining. You only have to look at our last outing in the Champions League to see the heights which we are capable of hitting, particularly at the Grove.

Both managers will have confidence in their own team’s ability to win the match which is why the football world will be so optimistic about the quality of the game tonight. We have become accustomed to teams setting their stall up to contain us and Barcelona are probably the only team in the world that are capable of not doing that and still winning the game. Guardiola explained his approach in yesterday’s press conference:

“We all know that scoring an away goal is very, very important for the return leg so we are going to have attacking intentions. We will try to score a goal, that is the main idea."

Conversely it is very, very important that we do not concede a goal but Wenger knows that our best chance of doing that is to attack, as was proved when we dispatched Porto 5-0 in the last round. It really is a mouthwatering encounter. Fabregas is still a major doubt and will have a fitness test in the warm up before the game. I can understand Wenger wanting to give him every opportunity to recover but it would be a psychological blow to see his name missing from the team sheet. The manager must be reasonably confident that he will recover otherwise it would surely have been wiser to rule the captain out of the game yesterday. If he does recover then it could be a masterstroke as the atmosphere will be electric if Cesc’s name is read out.

In more positive news Gallas is available for selection and his extra pace will be vital if he starts the game. Campbell has performed admirably but Messi will murder him if he becomes isolated. Song will return to midfield and Diaby and Arshavin also trained so we are almost at full strength.

For Barca, Andres Iniesta has been ruled out of the game but Xavi is in the squad after returning from injury and could be in line to start. Thierry Henry will probably start the game and will enjoy a fantastic reception from the home support. He has not been on top form this season and this is expected to be his last season at Barcelona but he is still a quality player and is on the same wavelength as his teammates. The same can not be said of Ibrahimovic who has struggled since his ludicrously expensive transfer from Inter Milan. The Swede is a threat but he has not slotted into Barca’s style of play as comfortably as Guardiola would have hoped. Still, they have Lionel Messi so all of this is irrelevant if he is on song.

It will be a memorable occasion and any result is feasible. Let’s hope it favours the Arse and injects some momentum back into our season. Enjoy.

Photo: Action Images

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