Arsenal And Academy Set For Eastern Adventures

The UEFA Women's Champions League draw, held in Nyon, Switzerland, has thrown up two journeys into Eastern Europe for England's representatives in the continental showpiece for the women's game.

Unseeded Bristol Academy were the first of the pair to be drawn out of the bowl by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, only to be made to wait just a little longer as Arsenal were initially pulled out for the tie. The competition rules, however, prevent two clubs from the same country facing each other in the round of 32, meaning that Arsenal were placed into the next bracket.

Soon, though, there was to be an opponent picked for the West Country side, qualifiers for the competition after finishing runners up to Arsenal in the 2011 Women's FA Cup final, and it was to produce a daunting trip for the continental first timers. FC Energiya Voronezh, second place finishers in the 2010 Russian Premier League, were the seeded rivals drawn to face Academy, a trip of just under 1,800 miles for the vixens to face.

Having been shunted straight into the next fixture Arsenal were drawn alongside opponents from Belarus by the name of FC Bobruchanka. Based in the Belarussian town of Babruysk Bobruchanka were champions of their domestic Premier League in 2010, thus entering the Champions League at the qualifying stage where they travelled to Croatia for their round robin group. The team finished second in that group, beating Northern Ireland's Newtownabbey and NSA Sofia of Bulgaria and losing to eventual winners Osijek, but were one of two runners up to take a place in the next stage.

The other side to make it into the first knockout phase via the runners up spot were Peamount United of Ireland, coming second behind Spaniards Rayo Vallecano. It will be their debut in the first round proper and they will be taking a Parisian trip as they face PSG who placed second in the Division 1 Féminine earlier this year.

The champions from the north of the border in 2010 were the all-conquering Glasgow City, winners of the last four Scottish Premier League crowns and currently top this term. Making their debut outside of the qualifiers City will face two legs against a team with similar domestic dominance, Valur Reykjavik of Iceland, 10 times champions of their country and 13 time cup winners.

In the other ties holders Lyon will play Olimpia Cluj of Romania while finalists from the 2010/11 competition Turbine Potsdam will face off with Thór/KA of Iceland. 1. FFC Frankfurt, the most successful club in the tournaments history, were drawn against Norwegian side Stabæk.

If Bristol Academy get past Energiya they could play either FC Twente or Rossiyanka while Arsenal would be paired with the winner of Vantaa and Rayo Vallecano in the next stage.

First legs will be played on the 28th/29th of September with the second legs a week later on the 5th/6th of October. Round of 16 ties will be played over the first two weeks of November.

The full draws are as follows:

Round of 32
CFF Olimpia Cluj (ROU) v Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
Peamount United (IRL) v Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA)
CSHVSM (KAZ) v SV Neulengbach (AUT)
Apollon Limassol LFC (CYP) v AC Sparta Praha (CZE)
PK-35 Vantaa (FIN) v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (ESP)
UPC Tavagnacco (ITA) v WFC Malmö (SWE)
WFC Osijek (CRO) v Göteborg FC (SWE)
Glasgow City FC (SCO) v Valur Reykjavík (ISL)
BSC Young Boys (SUI) v Fortuna Hjørring (DEN)
Thór/KA (ISL) v 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER)
ASA Tel-Aviv FC (ISR) v ASD Torres CF (ITA)
FC Twente (NED) v FC Rossiyanka (RUS)
Bristol Academy WFC (ENG) v FC Energiya Voronezh (RUS)
FC Bobruchanka (BLR) v Arsenal LFC (ENG)
Standard Fémina de Liège (BEL) v Brøndby IF (DEN)
Stabæk Football (NOR) v 1. FFC Frankfurt (GER)
 
Round of 16
Stabæk/Frankfurt v Peamount/PSG
Olimpia Cluj/Lyon v Apollon/Sparta
CSHVSM/Neulengbach v Tavagnacco/Malmö
Young Boys/Fortuna v Osijek/Göteborg
Bristol/Energiya v Twente/Rossiyanka
Vantaa/Rayo v Bobruchanka/Arsenal
Thór/Potsdam v Glasgow/Valur
Standard/Brøndby v Tel-Aviv/Torres

Barcelona Prove Too Hot To Handle For United

Barcelona will have the tag of 'Champions of Europe' for the next year at least after taking all the glory with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Wembley where they showed why the world calls them the greatest team ever seen.

Pedro broke the deadlock with a deft finish before Wayne Rooney sent the teams in level at half time but the game was won thanks to Lionel Messi, who else, and David Villa, giving Eric Abidal the chance to raise the giant trophy aloft, just ten weeks after having surgery to remove a tumour from his liver, a true footballing fairytale

The Manchester United team news was the first to come through the wire and it saw Sir Alex Ferguson employ the tried and tested 4-4-2 formation. Rooney started up front, partnering the Mexican Javier Hernandez while Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick were both preferred to Darren Fletcher in the centre of midfield, the Scotsman's comeback from illness coming perhaps too quickly for European football's biggest match. Park started on the left, his tireless work down the right being employed to tame the marauding Daniel Alves. Antonio Valencia started on the other wing and the back line was made up of Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra, Edwin Van Der Sar taking his place in goal for one final fling with the professional game.

Javier Mascherano, once sent off against United for Liverpool, began the game in the centre of defence, partnering ex-Reds defender Gerard Pique. The midfield was as expected, Sergio Busquets doing the dirty work in the central three, allowing Xavi and Iniesta the freedom to express themselves and impact the game. The front line of Barca also came as no surprise, the irrepressible world footballer of the year Lionel Messi sat in between Pedro and David Villa.

From the get go Manchester United came out and set their stall, hustling and harrying Dani Alves, dispossessing the full back in the opening minute, although as the game closed they were noticably tired, their containing plan taking it's toll after a long season. To start with Barcelona looked edgy, the loose balls weren't falling their way and the odd pass was going awry.

But as in Rome two years ago the opening dominance of United was soaked up the the Catalan's as David Villa forced a corner, taken short and leading to a shout of handball against Evra in the penalty area, though the decision would have been undoubtedly harsh. It was Barca who had the first true effort on goal, Pedro getting in behind Vidic and volleying wide of the upright from a wide ball.

Barca were starting to step up to their flowing best and the challenges from the United midfield, though biting in their nature, were finding nothing but the fresh Wembley air as the sharpness of their oppositions maestros allowed them to dodged the flying feet. The possession was mounting in favour of the Spaniards and they were beginning to create chances too, David Villa twice having time to shoot wide from the edge of the box while the passing rhythm was starting to slice through the English sides defence, last ditch challenges being the order of the day as Messi began finding himself within 15 yards of their goal, and eventually the pressure told, Barcelona made the breakthrough.

Xavi Hernandez, the string puller in the metronomic attacking unit of the Spanish champions, was afforded too much time and space to push forward and a pin-point diagonal pass with the outside of his left boot found Pedro with a clear sight of goal and he made no mistake, Van Der Sar the first man to lose his nerve as he went the wrong way, Pedro rolling the ball coolly in at the near post. Barcelona, much like their fanbase behind Valdes' goal, were bouncing.

Just minutes later, though, it was all square, United providing a quintessentially Barcelona goal. Wayne Rooney clipped a ball though to Ryan Giggs who, though suspiciously loitering on the offside line, laid the ball back to Rooney who finished in typically emphatic fashion, guiding the ball into the top corner with his instep, perfectly controlled in his technique.

As soon as you like the status quo was back, Barcelona were pushing forward and David Villa stung the hands of Van Der Sar before twice the Catalan's were the length of a stud away from retaking the lead, Pedro the first to fail to connect, that after a cleverly worked free kick, while the final chance of the half fell the way of Lionel Messi who attempted a give and go, but his go was just not quick enough.

The second half began where the first left off, more possession and short, incisive passing from Barcelona, Dani Alves having the first chance of the half, finding a way into the box only to shoot at Van Der Sar's legs, and there was no stop to it, United were not given any respite and they soon fell behind again.

Lionel Messi dropped deep and received a pass from Xavi, shooting as quick as a flash and catching the Red Devil's custodian off guard, finding the back of the net with a sweetly struck, left footed effort, right in front of the jubilant Barca faithful. It was his first goal on English soil and he couldn't have found a bigger ocassion in which to score it.

The Argentinian magician wasn't finished there, though as he weaved his way into yet another shooting position from where he made Van Der Sar drop swiftly onto his side to keep out a stinging low effort. And just a couple of minutes later he was bringing the ball forward yet again, eventually getting on the end of a Dani Alves pull back with a backheel flick that was only stopped on the line by United boot.

There were no bones about it, Messi was running the game, and after two beautiful pieces of skill he burst into the box, the ball breaking to David Villa on the edge of the area and the former Valencia striker made it 3-1 with an exquisite curling effort that swung around the arms of Van Der Sar and with that it was all over. Not that anyone had told Wayne Rooney that, the bulldog forward landing an effort onto the roof of the net.

The three minutes of added time were all but meaningless in the grand scheme of things, Ibrahim Afellay's late strike would have only rubbed United's face in the dirt had it been hit a sight more verve. But on a night when the speed and presence of mind shown by the Barcelona players was by far superior nobody could have complained about the final score, they had claimed club footballs ultimate prize with club footballs ultimate team. That's not to discredit the effort shown by England's champions, they played a massive part in the showpiece event that fans had dreamed of, Barcelona's majesty was just too much for them to handle.

Indeed, the world stands to them, lauds them, and rightly so, they have claimed the glory tonight and they won't be stopping there.

Ferguson Puts Foward United's Claim To Glory

Two years is a relatively long time in the career of a professional footballer and that is how long Manchester United have waited to enact revenge on Barcelona and put to bed the memories that have haunted them since they tasted defeat in the Champions League final in May 2009.

It was a game that saw Barcelona outplay the Red Devils, their slick passing and movement making United look like comparative schoolboys in Rome's Stadio Olimpico. The English side never turned up, not aside from the opening exchanges when their former defender Gerard Pique made a crucial block from Ji-Sung Park early on. From then on it was one way football, the triangles that Barca produced baffled United who, without the tireless work of the suspended Darren Fletcher in midfield, failed to cope with the skillful beauty of their opponents game.

But that was the past and it is time for United to live in the now, when Saturday evening comes there should be no thoughts of what has been, just picture the glory and do your utmost to claim it. There is no time to listen to the never ending string of public lauding that follows Barcelona round like the sweetest of fragrances. A single set of ninety minutes is all it takes to win a one-off game that could define the careers of this squad, not only to win the Champions League but to to do it against a team of such undoubted quality would be a memory to savour.

Let's not count out United, though, as they face the might of the Catalonian's. It may not have been classic United this season, they haven't been at their flowing best, but yet there is a spirit in the camp that has seen them fight until the end and the number of goals they have put past their opposition in the dying seconds has underlined this fact. Four players have netted goals in double figures with just Dimitar Berbatov scoring over twenty, and even then he only did so by one. In Europe the Reds have been uncharitable to opposition, leaking just four goals over the course of their twelve ties thus far, all of which have come at Old Trafford, while scoring eighteen. That includes eleven in the knockout rounds, most notably in the semi-final with Schalke where they scored six over the course of two legs.

Sir Alex Ferguson described Saturday's match as possibly 'the best final of the decade'. The long serving Manchester United manager was speaking at his final press conference before the big game when he spoke about the magnitude the match could leave in it's wake.

"The attraction of two great teams with great history is obvious. It’s an appealing final in terms of what could happen in this game.

"Anything could happen. There could be a lot of goals, a lot of excitement. Hopefully it turns out that way.

"I don’t think anyone can question the attacking players that will be on view tomorrow."

 

Indeed, if United are to stop Barca they will have to cope with the competitions top scorer in Lionel Messi. The breathtaking Argentinian has scored eleven in twelve European appearances alone, his 42 in all other competitions over the course of a showcase season have gone to prove that he deserves the title of 'World Footballer of the Year'. But Ferguson is also confident that the qualities in his side can help them claim the clubs fourth European cup.

 

"We have players who will all like this stage. In terms of Rooney's progress in Europe, he is much more mature than he was in 2009, and others too. The experience of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic is [also] vital.

"Our experience, and our progress in Europe this season, gives us a good chance."

Stood just metres along the touchline from Ferguson will be one of the games hottest young managers in Pep Guardiola, and he was complimentary on the way the Spaniard has developed an already machine-like footballing outfit into the team they are today. Tinkering with Frank Rijkaard's style by progressing the defensive system, playing with a high defensive line and pressing in numbers across the pitch, Guardiola also focussed on keeping hold of the ball across the pitch, developing what is now known as 'tiki taka' football, strings of short passes mixed with sharp, incisive movement that has made them a feared force worldwide.

"I think that the most revealing thing about Pep Guardiola is that for a young coach who came to the club and in many ways [he has] changed the way they played.

"I think we all recognise that he’s brought maturity to the team from beating us in Rome to the present day. You see that maturity and also he’s changed the way that they press the ball, which has been very impressive in the last year in particular, so for a young coach who's done fantastically well, he has a good presence about him.

"He’s played for Barcelona which helps and if you look at the past history of Barcelona’s Dutch coaches, he’s made a big step forward for Spanish coaches."

 

The Scot also insisted that he wasn't out for revenge for what happened in Rome, choosing instead to talk about how his sides preparations will make the difference this time around.
 

"We are very focused this time and our preparation has been better. We maybe made one or two mistakes last time, but not this time. We were disappointed we lost the game but it isn't a matter of revenge, it is about our own personal pride.
 
"We did most of the work before the Blackpool game [last Sunday] and winning the league the previous week helped us that way.
 
"The players have to trust themselves and trust each other because I trust them. I know they'll do the job right.

"This team has unity and our record in Europe this year is good. We're used to playing in Europe, we have that experience and we're pleased with what we've achieved this year in Europe."

 
And so it is with an air of trepidation that many fans of Manchester United will walk up Wembley Way, late on Saturday afternoon, but that seems not to have affected Sir Alex Ferguson's confidence in his own sides chance to take the European crown.

Chelsea Progress With Illustrious Ease

Chelsea confirmed their safe passage through to the quarter finals of the Champions League with comfort despite the final 0-0 scoreline with FC Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge.

The best chance of the game fell to Didier Drogba at the start of the second half but he volleyed wide while Copenhagen scared as Dame N'Doye struck Petr Cech's upright from a first half free kick and Jon Obi Mikel nodded the ball onto the top of the Danes crossbar.

Despite having 28 attempts on goal Chelsea couldn't find the breakthrough as they were too often wasteful in front of goal, but with the lack of attacking threat coming from the visitors the result never looked in any doubt. Nicolas Anelka always looked threatening and Yuri Zhirkov produced a fine display in the first half before both were subbed off in the second half.

Copenhagen can look back on their campaign as a success, becoming the first Danish team to make the last sixteen and having also earned a 1-1 draw against Barcelona.

The notable exception from the Chelsea starting line up was Fernando Torres, dropped to the bench, explained by Carlo Ancelotti as rotation. There had been much speculation in media circles as to whether the Spaniard to start but the Chelsea boss kept to his pre-match word that he would rotate his side. Nicolas Anelka was the man to come in, partnering Dider Drogba up top.

Jon Obi Mikel started in central midfield despite the threat of a one match ban if he were to receive a yellow card and Branislav Ivanovic was chosen to pair up with John Terry at the heart of the Blues defence.

For Copenhagen Mikael Antonsson overcame injury fears to start at centre back while former Chelsea player Jesper Gronkjaer started up front, sat just off Dame N'Doye.

It was the home side who had the first attempt on goal of the evening, Ashley Cole being slipped in behind the Danish defence and squaring for Lampard who got ahead of the near post and got too much of his boot on the ball, sending it wide of the upright.

Copenhagen's opening opportunity came in the shape of a 19 yard free kick after Vingaard was brought down by Bosingwa, Claudemir was only able to drive the ball straight into the Chelsea wall however.

Didier Droga showed good feet to create space for a shot but his long range effort was easily stopped by Copenhagen keeper Wiland.

On 18 minutes Chelsea produced a fine move to create a chance. Zhirkov poked through for Drogba to head into the area, the Ivorian producing a delightful backheel for Ashley Cole who squared for Zhirkov, only to see the man who started the move push the ball wide of the left hand post.

Not long after it was Anelka who had the chance to put the Londoner's ahead as Ramires played an expansive ball out from the back to Zhirkov who burst towards the opposition area and play Anelka through, the Frenchman finding the angle too tight in the end, Wiland coming out to save.

The display from both Anelka and Drogba in the first twenty minutes vilified Ancelotti's choice to drop Torres to the bench as the frontmen were making dangerous side-to-side runs that had the Danish defence baffled.

Following a John Terry foul just outside the area Dame N'Doye had the chance to line up a free kick. Petr Cech stepped to his left, guessing that was the way the Senegalese striker was going to go. He was, however, left flat footed as the effort went to his other side, rattling the inside of the post and rebounding to safety.

Yuri Zhirkov continued to make incisive runs into the centre of the pitch and he had another chance when Anelka cut back from the byline and pushed the ball across to the Russian who shot wide as he found himself under pressure.

The last ten minutes of the first half went quietly, Chelsea producing a couple of opportunities, though often finding the final ball lacking, while the visitors began to look stretched and often off of the pace of the game.

Despite Chelsea's dominance in the first half the Danish fans in the Shed End were in good voice supporting their boys in pink. Much of the home sides threat came from a left hand side which saw Ashley Cole bombing forward from his wingback position and Yuri Zhirkov cutting inside and causing havoc as Drogba and Anelka ran the opposite direction, cutting across the Copenhagen defence.

The best chance of the game yet fell to Didier Drogba three minutes into the second half, a wonderful in swinging ball from Jose Bosingwa out on the right found the big striker in behind the opposition defence but he could only place his right foot volley wide of the mark.

Drogba was soon involved again, flicking a ball over the top of the Danes backline sending Anelka through but with the angle against him the Frenchman turned back inside and allowed the defenders to get back at him.

Moments later Chelsea had a corner from Lampard which bounced off heads and found its way to Mikel on the corner of the six yard box but he could only head onto the bar under pressure from Jesper Gronkjaer.

Mikael Antonsson, who faced a race to get fit for the game, proved his inclusion was not a mistake as he raced after Nicolas Anelka and with the Chelsea striker looking almost certain to score the defender produced a miraculous sliding challenge to get a block on Anelka's effort.

As the second half wore on Chelsea continued to create without the cutting edge to make a guilt edged chance but with Copenhagen rarely causing any trouble the game was simply rolling on by.

Fernando Torres was eventually called into the fray with 23 minutes left on the clock, he replaced Nicolas Anelka who had had a decent game, using his pace and movement to get behind the Copenhagen back four on numerous occasions. The world cup winners first touch was greeted with great cheers from the home faithful and the shot that came from it, albeit after some weaving, took a deflection that nearly wrong-footed Wiland.

Torres' first clean effort on goal came from a tight angle as he forced himself past Wendt at right back and shot into the hands of Wiland.

Copenhagen finally found a way into the Chelsea penalty area as Dame N'Doye burst at their defence, only to see himself blaze high and wide of the goal when he had two players in the box with him.

Dider Drogba possesses great power in his shooting so the chance he had from a free kick he won himself could, and perhaps should, have resulted in the Copenhagen keeper having to do more than thrust his arms in front of him and taking the ball from the air.

There were long range efforts from Bosingwa, Drogba and Essien within the final ten minutes and finally Frank Lampard tried to set up Fernando Torres for his first Chelsea goal when he would have been better off taking the shot himself.

Chelsea V FC Copenhagen Preview

Chelsea's first leg victory over FC Copenhagen could prove to be a game that turns a faltering season into one which will end with a modicum of success.

The reigning Premier League champions are well off the pace in their domestic title race and were dumped out of the FA Cup by Everton after their FA Cup 4th round replay went to penalties leaving the Champions League, the prize that has continually eluded the club since Roman Abramovich pumped his millions into the club.

Three days after that shoot-out loss the Londoner's travelled to Denmark with manager Carlo Ancelotti under sustained pressure to turn things around and a Nicolas Anelka double sent the Chelsea faithful away with a glimmer of hope, a glimmer that was to grow nearly two weeks later after the clubs next game, a massive clash with league leaders Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

It didn't start too well either, Wayne Rooney driving home from twenty yards to give the visitors a 29th minute lead. It was down to David Luiz to score his first goal for the club and level up the match before Smalling fouled Zhirkov in the area to give Frank Lampard a chance from the spot, the penalty ace obliging with the winner. Off-form Blackpool were next to feel the wraith of a Chelsea machine slowly clicking into gear, Lampard snatching two with John Terry scoring the other in a 3-1 win.

A weekend off due to the FA Cup defeat followed meaning the Blues will go into tonight's game with the Danish champions as fresh as a field of daisies and the comfortable victory in the first leg means that Chelsea shouldn't have to raise their game too high to dispose of the visitors.

But there should be no room for complacency, Copenhagen manager Stale Solbakken has stated his intent by telling the media his team will go out and take the game to their more illustrious opponents.

"It is stupid to go into it defensive when you're behind 2-0.

"If we score they will be nervous. I can guarantee that. The key to the game is who scores the first goal.

"If we do, it will be the inverted psychology no matter how Chelsea has prepared for the game."

His side have also played two league games since the first leg, initially losing to FC Midtjylland, their only league defeat thus far this season, before claiming victory over Aalborg thanks to a Christian Bolanos goal. It looks as though the club will retain their league title while they have shown that they are no mugs in European competition either, claiming two wins over Panathinaikos and one over Rubin Kazan in the group stage as well as earning a 1-1 draw against the might of Barcelona.

In team news Alex will not be ready to return to the Chelsea squad due to a knee injury while Yossi Benayoun is still out with a long term injury.

For Copenhagen Zdenek Pospech is suspended having been booked in the first leg. Fellow defender Mikael Antonsson is out with a muscle injury.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has come out and said that he will rotate the team for tonight's game, a huge game at home to Manchester City coming up on Sunday. The Italian said:

"I want to rotate in this game, I didn't choose the team for tomorrow but I want to use rotation because we have all the players fit and I want to use all the players to prepare for these two games with Copenhagen and Manchester City.

"My best team is not just 11 players. I am happy in this moment because all the players are fit, Alex came back to train today in good condition and is ready for the next game, Benayoun will come back to train maybe Thursday or Friday with the team, so every player is fit and in good condition.

"This is a fantastic moment for us to have all the players fit and we want to maintain motivation for everyone, to have all the players fit in the next games of the Premier League and Champions League."

Chelsea fans will hope for a smooth passage through to the quarter final to join both Manchester United and Tottenham as English representatives in the last eight, but Copenhagen will come out and look to force the pace and if they get an early goal, well, let's not go there just yet.

HJBSports Twitter feed will keep you up to date with the goals and key moments from tonight's tie and look out for our match report that will be up shortly afterwards.

Arsenal V Barcelona Preview

Arguably the world's two most attractive football teams face off with each other tonight in North London as Arsenal prepare to square up to La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Barca are rampant at the top of La Liga, only having their 16 match winning streak ended at the weekend while the Londoner's are well known for their slick brand of football, and with the two clubs standings outside of Europe this should prove to be the most watched tie of the round.

Who's Up For It?

Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Samir Nasri to their squad, the midfielder having spent two weeks out with the hamstring injury he suffered in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Huddersfield. Manager Arsene Wenger will make the decision as to whether the Frenchman will play today.

Tomas Rosicky will return to the squad but Abou Diaby will be missing with a calf injury that he picked up while on international duty with France.

Two Barcelona first team players didn't travel with the squad, namely Carles Puyol and Jeffren Suarez, but B teamer Thiago Alcantara is a member of the party, although he is unlikely to make it into Pep Guardiola's matchday squad.

How Are They Doing?

Both sides have won five of their last six matches, though two of those Arsenal wins came against lower division opponents in cup competitions. The Gunners put the disappointment of letting a four goal lead slip at Newcastle behind them with a 2-0 weekend win over Wolves. In terms of League only form Arsenal are yet to lose since the turn of the year, drawing twice in the aforementioned Newcastle game and a dour stalemate against title rivals Manchester City at the Emirates.

Prior to this weekend Barcelona had won 16 consecutive league matches but a 1-1 draw with lowly Sporting Gijon ended their spectacular run. Their previous five games have, however, yielded 17 goals while overall they have scored an incredible 97 times in just 37 matches in all competitions this season, conceding only 19 in the process. Their results this season have also included an 8-0 rout away at UD Alemria and a thumping 5-0 'El Classico' win over Real Madrid in the following game at the Nou Camp.

How About In The Champions League?

Arsenal had a wobble in their group stage campaign, losing to both Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga before a 3-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade, the same scoreline as it finished in the first game between the two, confirmed their progression. The Gunners did win all of their home games, though, and will be confident at the Emirates.

Their opponents went through the first phase unbeaten with two big wins over Panathinaikos (5-1 at home and 3-0 away). They won their other two home games by two goals to nil but drew twice on the road in Copenhagen and Kazan, both games finishing 1-1.

Who Are The Match Winners?

Undoubtedly the biggest name on either team sheet will be that of 2010's Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi. Since a quiet world cup in the summer the Argentine forward has once again been on fire for his club. Last season Messi scored 45 goals in 52 games but this season he looks as though he will tear that record apart having already but away 37 goals in 32 appearances, an absolutely staggering record, and Arsenal fans won't appreciate his 19 assists up to this point in the season.

Arsenal's top scorer Samir Nasri has 14 goals this season, a paltry return compared to Messi's, but will face a race to get fit in time for this first leg of the tie. Not far behind him on 12 goals is Dutch international Robin Van Persie who is currently in superb form. The former Feyenoord striker played three games in August but suffered an ankle injury against Blackburn which ruled him out until November when he made two substitute appearances and finally a start right at the end of the month. Two games later he made his Champions League bow, scoring against Partizan Belgrade and has since scored a further 11 in just over two months.

Have We Met Before?

Tonight the English side will be hoping to break their duck against the Spanish champions, having failed to win in five previous meetings between the two sides.

Most recently the clubs met in the Champions League quarter-finals last term. Two Zlatan Ibrahimovic goals put the Catalans two up at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg before Theo Walcott came off of the bench to pull a goal back for the Gunners and after Carles Puyol was sent off Cesc Fabregas equalised from the penalty spot with five minutes remaining. The second leg started off well for Arsenal, Nicklas Bendtner giving the overall lead in the tie, but that was short lived as Lionel Messi scored just three minutes later and from then on the youngster never looked back, going on to score a total of four goals in the game including an ingenious chip over Manuel Almunia.

The highest profile meeting between the two sides came in the 2006 Champions League final at the Stade de France where Arsenal began by having Jens Lehmann controversialy sent off, the first man to be so in a Champions League final, but it was the Gunners who went in with a half time lead thanks to a Sol Campbell header. The introduction of Henrick Larsson, however, turned the game on it's head as the Swede set up both Samuel Eto,o and Juliano Belletti to give Barca the title.

The first head-to-head between Arsenal and Barca occured in 1999 when Kanu scored a late Arsenal equaliser at the Nou Camp. The return tie in the Champions League group B match up finished 4-2 to Barcelona at Highbury.

Who Said What?

Arsene Wenger believes his side have a strong chance of beating the Catalan's tonight and taking a lead into the second leg, he said:

"We have made our way forward by challenging in the Premier League, we are in all competitions and if you look at the predictions in pre-season, nobody in England predicted we would be today where we are.

"We have made our own way with our own strength and mental belief and there’s a good opportunity tomorrow to show we can be stronger than the predictions, and who doesn’t like that in football?"

He was then asked whether last seasons experience of playing Barcelona has improved his side, to which he responded:

"Certainly, yes, because we came out of the second game with a lot of frustrations because we missed the turning point of the game when we were 1-0 up over there," he went on.

"We are a stronger team now because this team has attitude, focus and every day since I am manager for a long time, I have not seen many teams with such consistent focus every day to improve. The main reason we have improved is because of the attitude of the players."

Pep Guardiola, manager of Barcelona, appreciates the way Arsenal like to play the game, very much as his own side do, telling the press:

"I like watching Arsenal, but I’d rather not be playing against them. We are two teams who want the ball and we both suffer without it. We want possession for as long as possible in order to make as many attacking situations as we can."

"This is going to be a tough game and our ties at this stage in the last two seasons [against Lyon and Stuttgart] were our worst performances in the competition. We have to charge ourselves up for this to be the quickest to get into the swing of things. I hope that the atmosphere and the quality of our opponents will help us to do that."

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