For the romantics of football, this tie couldn’t be more suitable, writes Suhail Seedat. Take 2 of Arsenal v Barcelona is set to be one of the most open and intriguing tactical ties in the competition. Last season, Arsenal were absolutely ravaged in the first half but stayed in the tie thanks to the excellent goalkeeping display of Manuel Almunia until Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two magnificent goals, which were then cancelled out by impact sub Theo Walcott and the Catalan - and perhaps Barca-bound - Cesc Fabregas, to end what was one of the most breathtaking displays of football in 2010.
Tale of the tape
Arsenal come into the game with some good form behind them in the league. In the Champions League this season, Arsenal have scored fourteen goals at home but it was their away record which let them down and cost them of top spot in the group. Arsenal are unbeaten in nine home games in the Champions League - their last defeat at home was at the semi-final stage in 2009 when they lost to Manchester United.
Arsenal will be without Thomas Vermaelen, but indications do suggest he could return for the second leg. Samir Nasri has recovered but manager Arsene Wenger has yet to confirm his position in the squad. Abou Diaby and Denilson are both doubts with slight knocks. Bacary Sagna misses out through suspension.
Barcelona were unbeaten in the group stage of the competition, but draws away to Rubin Kazan and FC Kobenhavn will give manager Pep Guardiola something to think about in his strategy away from home. Barcelona’s last away defeat was to Inter at the semi-final stage last season, where due to volcano eruptions they were asked to travel with every different mode of transport conceivable.
Barcelona should have a near fully fit team with several rested in the draw away to Sporting Gijon at the weekend. However, the main concern is the fitness of Carles Puyol who sustained a knee injury in January.
Predicted Teams
Arsenal: Szczesny; Eboue, Djourou, Kosicelny, Clichy; Song, Fabregas, Wilshere; Walcott, Arshavin, Van Persie.
Barcelona: Valdes; Dani Alves, Pique, Abidal, Maxwell; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Villa, Messi.
Pressure is the name of the game
There is no doubting that both teams can pass any opposition off the park and in order to maintain the style of football they play, the teams needs to play a high line to condense the space and sustain pressure in the opposition’s half. Ibrahimovic scored twice, both resulting from direct balls that came from a lack of Arsenal pressure in keeping a high line. That’s a dangerous cocktail, as the space behind the defence will be constantly and easily exposed should the right amount of pressure not be applied.
This time, Arsenal will hope they have learned their lesson and will be ready topress Barcelona’s midfield two of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. In the post-match interview after the draw against Gijon, Guardiola said:
“They made it very difficult for us. They managed to do what all sides try to do but usually without success. They suffocated us in midfield and made sure Andres Iniesta and Xavi could not play their football.”
Arsenal will match Barcelona’s system in midfield and the extra years of experience of Alex Song and Fabregas will be essential in guiding the young Jack Wilshere in trying to penetrate and turnover possession in the middle as much as possible.
The thinking from Gijon over the weekend was that if they squeezed the middle, Dani Alves and Maxwell - the wing-backs - would be redundant as the game can’t be stretched and all the balls remain very narrow which doesn’t allow Barcelona to widen gaps in the opposition defence. Barcelona are very good in pressing cohesively and forcing the ball into central areas where the turnover can be instantaneous - Arsenal will have to try and release their wide men as early as possible without losing possession.
Whether Wenger is willing to sacrifice his principles in trying to nullify the opposition is up for debate but the weaponry available to counter Barcelona, especially the pace of Walcott, could be useful in surprising the Catalans.
False nines
Both teams have operated false nine systems this season. Robin Van Persie’s technical class and vision makes him perhaps one of the best in football operating the role, and certainly one of the most entertaining. Nonetheless, his task to try and stop Pique and Abidal building from the back will be quite useful in reducing the amount of ball time Barcelona have.
When Arsenal do have the ball, though possession stats suggest this maybe a rare occasion, as Barcelona have averaged 78% possession in the Champions League this season (at least 10% more than any other side) Van Persie has to start deep in Busquets’ territory to try and create the diamond which mirrors what Barcelona have created with their attacking system. In doing so, their ability to create a base in Barcelona’s final third will be useful if Arsenal want to exploit Maxwell with Walcott.
Barcelona have perfected the false nine system and have got the highest scoring Spanish striker David Villa playing at left wing, illustrating the players’ willingness and belief in the manager. Lionel Messi has scored the highest amount in his career since the shift from right wing to a central role - 38 goals already. As mentioned, Barcelona create a diamond with Xavi deepest, Villa left, Pedro right and Messi at the head, giving Iniesta a role to roam to cover and use his scintillating dribbling skill to buzz around.
This system allows Barcelona to rotate the shape quickly as they are in close proximity of each other and go above and beyond Messi in trying to grab a goal. Arsenal may feel that to stop this they need to stretch Barcelona at all times possible and exploit the space left behind the wing-backs. Though Sergio Busquets will fill in as a third centre-back at times, Arsenal may get joy in playing the direct ball especially over Barcelona’s left flank.
I believe if Arsene can make a good tactical approach in the middle involving Cesc,Jack,Song and Nasri then arsenal can have a result against Barca at the Emirates.