Arsenal handed golden opportunity to beat Barcelona in the Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match.

Arsenal made an important comeback on Wednesday’s Champions League Quarter Final clash against Barcelona at the Emirates stadium with the help of inspiring Theo Walcott as they came from 2-0 down to make the game 2-2.

The gunners were very lucky not to concede in the first half with several clear-cut chances that were saved by Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, the gunners held there composure and were able to mount their attack especially after 21-year-old Theo Walcott came on.

Almost a fortnight ago I wrote about the Arsenal vs Barcelona game and my prediction was that Arsenal should have gone to the Nou Camp by at least a one goal lead without conceding any. But since then a lot of things have changed.

Barcelona V Arsenal Prediction
So what will happen in the Second Leg of the Barcelona V Arsenal game at the Nou Camp.

Most sports pundits and websites believe Barcelona are favourite to win the huge clash at the Nou Camp as Fàbregas is suspended, Gallas is injured and Andrey Arshavin is very doubtful, but I think to the contrary of this thought.

Despite Barcelona’s overwhelming force that we saw on Wednesday nights clash with Arsenal, the gunners will always be a threat to the Catalan’s.

While Cesc Fàbregas’s suspension is a huge setback to Arsenal, Arsene Wengers Young Guns have the talent and ability to wipe off the away goal advantage as Barcelona are missing two key players from their defence.

Both Carles Puyol who received a straight red for his challenge on Fàbregas and Gerard Pique who is suspended after getting a yellow card will not be playing against Arsenal on Tuesday, 6th April.

Barcelona are currently in a fierce fight with arch-rivals, Real Madrid in the Spanish domestic league, La Liga, where both are on the same points but the Galacticos lead by goal deference.

Barcelona will be playing Real Madrid at the Bernabéu on Saturday, 10th April, where in Spain it is widely regarded as the game that will determine this years La Liga champions.

Barcelona’s manager Josep Guardiola, has admitted that The La Liga is more important then the Champions League this season which means he might wrest or demand less from his players on Tuesday against Arsenal just four days before before the big clash with Real Madrid.

Guardiola said on public TV “The main target this season is not to win the Champions League, but to retain the Liga title, I never discount anything but it is clear that if we do not do well in domestic competition, we will not achieve much in Europe.”

With the psychology of the Barcelona players firmly hooked on to the game at the weekend, Arsenal will have the upper hand against the Catalan’s.

Another very important aspect to think of is Arsene Wenger. When Thierry Henry left Arsenal in 2007, allot of people thought it was over for Arsenal as high rollers in the premiership and Europe. How wrong were they.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal is not dependent on a single player, the team plays their famous on the floor football, pass and go, so Fàbregas not being on the field though a miss for Arsenal, is not a huge blow compared to the two central defenders missing from Barcelona.

With attacking players such as Nicklas Bendtner, Eduardo and one Theo Walcott who will make or break this game. Walcott’s lightning speed will reek-havoc for the Barcelona outfit and with the winger fit, he is a huge threat. Wenger might even try young Mexican star Carlos Vela to surprise the Catalans.

The Barcelona players, manager, physiotherapist even the city are also in unfamiliar ground at the Champions League Quarter Final with Arsenal because usually the team has one thing in mind and that is to score goals. However the game with Arsenal on Tuesday is not the same case as they can go through without winning so long as they do not concede.

This will again effect Barcelona in a negative way as Arsenal are going to the Nou Camp with one thing in mind and that is to win. With the Catalan defence dramatically weakened by the absence of Pique and Puyol.

Arsenal have the advantage against Barcelona on Tuesday Champions League clash of the titans. My prediction is that Arsenal will teach the Flamenco dance while Barcelona watch.

Please leave your opinions and comments bellow

NationalTurk – Sports / John Steel
john-steel@nationalturk.com

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