It’s going to be the best game of the knockout stages, that’s for sure. Both Arsenal and Barcelona are in great form, with a slight decrease on the Catalan’s side. The Gunners have important lot problems and will only recover Wilshere by then, with Cazorla and Coquelin being ruled out until March. The first game will take place at Emirates which is good news for Wenger. The month of February will be decisive for Arsenal who will also face Leicester 7 days before the Barcelona clash. By then Welbeck and Sanchez will be fit to play if everything goes as planned. Given the fact that the game is set on the 23rd there is a small chance Coquelin might be up to face the Spanish side as well.
It is hard to tell what is going to happen during the two games. Even though most see Barcelona as favorites, you cannot help thinking of what Arsenal did against Bayern during their first encounter or what they did against Manchester United. Since then the team has grown and even though they are missing key players, they still have the best football in the Premier League right now.
If a lot of people say this is the year Arsenal can and will win the Premier League, why couldn’t this year be the year in which they eliminate Barcelona as well? Wenger faced the Catalans 7 times and managed a single win. He has the knowledge and the lot to defeat Messi’s side and go through the next stage. The last win came in 2011 when the Gunners defeated Barca 2-1 at home.