Everyone and their Grandpa's Uncle is giving Arsenal the grand total of 0% with regards to their chances of advancing. And not many people, apart from very optimistic Arsenal fans are disagreeing with this. The facts speak for themselves. Barcelona have the most lethal attack in the world and Arsenal aren't known for their defensive prowess. From that notion, they should get spanked like a problem child.
But a match still needs to be played, and this is a contest. If Arsenal are even going to attempt to dream of somehow defeating what seems to be the impenetrable Catalan force, then it starts tomorrow night. The first and most obvious is they have to win. Anything but a win and they might as well forfeit the second leg and save their fans the trip and money. Secondly, and this is a bit tough, they should try and keep a clean sheet.
This is not as important as winning the game, but if Arsenal can take their asses over to Spain in a few weeks with a win and without a Barca away goal, it will put them in a really good position to at least ruffle some feathers. These matches are really about avoiding away goals, and getting your own piece when you have to do the travelling. More times than not, when you successfully do that, you win these matches.
Barcelona though, are the kind of team who can go down 2-0 in one leg, and just erupt and win the second match 5-1. So by no means is it a guarantee that Arsenal will win if they follow the rules of these Champions League knockout matches. It works against most teams, but Barcelona ain't most teams and they just have the ability to win when they want to. It sucks, it's unfair, but go tell that to the FFFP before wasting your breath with complaints.
There is a virtue though with Arsenal's position. They are overwhelming underdogs and nobody expects them to win. You have the might of Barcelona that trounces most of Arsenal's unit, and also the fact that Barcelona have a great record against them. Everything is counting against Arsenal winning which is why they should play with no pressure and just go out and do their thing. And there have been too many times in football where the team that nobody thought had a chance, ended up shocking everyone and walking off the pitch with their hands held high.
Tomorrow night though, Ozil has to be the playmaking maestro that we know he can be. Giroud must take those chances and use his height when the crosses come in to him. Koscielny has to be a beast at the back and Cech will be needed more than ever. Then there's Sanchez, Arsenal's best attacking player and the one guy who can be the difference in this game. He needs to really grab the game by the scruff of the neck and have that tunnel vision superstar gene flowing through his veins. Arsenal will need him at his Chilean fiery best to stand the most minute of chances.
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