TheDailySoccerNews.com

Barça play host to Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 (20:45, TVE1) aiming to overturn the 2-1 result at the Emirates. Barça are without Pique and Puyol, whilst for Arsenal Cesc and Van Persie are doubtful.
Barça are on a mission: Overturn the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal in the first leg 3 weeks ago. If they succeed they’ll reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It is, therefore, the moment of truth, where failure is not allowed. They won’t be alone, as they will get the support of a packed Camp Nou crowd, faithful to the team that has helped them dream over the past three seasons.

English doubts

The days prior to the return leg has been shadowed by uncertainties in the two clubs team selections. Xavi, Valdes and Jeffren have all recovered for Barça, but Puyol is still out and Pique suspended. Arsenal, meanwhile, will travel without Song and Walcott, but Van Persie, who days earlier had been discounted by Arsenal, will travel with the team. Wenger also has doubts about Cesc and Wilshere, although everything points to the fact that they’ll finally play.

Encouraging precedent
Barça manager Pep Guardiola , who was discharged from hospital on Monday morning following 5 days treatment on his herniated disc, will also be there. His team comes into the game in good shape after winning the four league games following the defeat in London. The major Barça doubts surround the heart of the defense, due to the absence of Pique and Puyol. It’s the same scenario as in the quarterfinals of last year, when everything turned out perfectly: 4-1 with Messi as the superstar and into the ’semis’. (continue reading…)

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola expects more attacking football when Arsenal travel to Camp Nou looking to defend their 2-1 lead.

The Gunners launched a stirring second-half comeback in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash at Emirates Stadium having been on the back foot for much of the first half.

David Villa fired the visitors into a deserved lead but the hosts improved after the interval with late goals from Robin van Persie and substitute Andrey Arshavin securing a famous success in an enthralling encounter.

Barcelona know they must find the net on home soil when the two sides meet again on 8th March, live on Sky Sports HD2 and Sky Sports 2, with Guardiola content with the way his side performed in North London despite the defeat. (continue reading…)

The day before the draw for the Champions League Knockout Round back in December, Arsène Wenger left his usual press conference with a knowing smirk on his face.

The Arsenal manager said he knew, just knew, the team his side would face – but would not reveal their identity. The prevailing presumption was Barcelona and, less than 24 hours later, the Spanish champions were duly delivered.

That self-same smirk returned at the end of his media work on the eve of the first leg at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Wenger was wished good luck as he rose from his chair.

“Thanks,” he smiled. “We’ll need it.”

The Frenchman is not given to playing a subservient role in the build-up to a major match. But this time he has lavished fulsome, unfettered praise on his opponents. The best in Europe, the best in the world and possibly the best ever – all have been offered by Wenger.

Pep Guardiola has ventured down the same road when he has spoken to the media. The Barca manager admits he did not want Arsenal in the draw. They can ‘leave you chasing shadows’. They ‘worry’ him. (continue reading…)

Robin van Persie scored twice as ruthless Arsenal put struggling West Ham to the sword in a match tipped to be Avram Grant’s last as Hammers boss.

The Dutchman expertly rifled home Theo Walcott’s pass before teeing up Walcott to crash in from close range.

Carlton Cole shot straight at Wojciech Szczesny and glanced a header wide in rare attacks for the disjointed hosts.

Van Persie netted his second from the spot after Wayne Bridge fouled Walcott to cap a sparkling Gunners display.

The comprehensive defeat is expected to signal the end of Grant’s tenure as Hammers boss, as BBC Sport understands former Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will replace the Israeli.

Arsenal took full advantage of an uncertain performance from an injury-hit Hammers side playing in an almost funereal atmosphere at a normally boisterous ground, after a day that seemed set to be Grant’s last stand.
The Gunners gave a fluent and assured display as they moved within one point of Manchester United and stayed three behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, although Arsene Wenger’s side rarely needed to be at their best against such troubled opponents. (continue reading…)

Arsenal will not meet Barcelona in the Champions League for another two months but minutes after Friday’s draw there were exchanges of a rather less physical nature between the two teams.

The Catalans appear to be as keen on Twitter as their contemporaries in the Barclays Premier League because Carles Puyol responded to the news by immediately firing a message to Cesc Fabregas. ‘Arsenal oooooooohhhh!’ he tweeted to Arsenal’s captain.

Fabregas did respond in Catalan and appeared to mention something about mucus, and it would be wrong to suggest Puyol was celebrating the fact that his side would be meeting
a team they beat 6-3 on aggregate in last season’s quarter-finals.

But Puyol’s message served as an eerie reminder of last season’s tie. Those words that appeared on the giant screens at the Nou Camp after 20, 37 and 41 minutes and one more time after the interval. (continue reading…)

by.cruiser
After the defeat to Manchester United last Monday, Arsenal will be eager to get their title challenge back on track when they welcome the visit of Stoke.

They are now two points behind the Red Devils as they lie in second place in the standings. Arsenal have not had a good time at the Emirates this season but their opponents Stoke are coming into this match after the defeat to Blackpool last weekend.

Arsene Wenger knows they have a good record against Stoke at home whereny they are eight game unbeaten against Tony Pulis side and will be keen to extend that record when they clash here today.

Stoke have a decent record on their travels and have won three of their 11 trips to the captial.

Arsenal Team News :
As for the team news ahead of the match, Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could once again start in goal if Lukasz Fabianski fails to recover from a hip problem.

Arsenal do not have any new fresh injuries apart from striker Nicklas Bendtner who is likely to miss the match as he awaits the birth of his child. (continue reading…)

Manchester United stamped their authority on the Barclays Premier League on Monday night as they moved two points clear at the top with a 1-0 victory over rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford.

A first-half goal from South Korean Park Ji-sung secured the win and United could even afford a missed penalty from Wayne Rooney as they stretched their unbeaten league run this season to 16 games.

Afterwards Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger blamed what he claimed was a bad playing surface for the defeat and insisted the Gunners can still win the league even though their failure to perform in the big games has seen them fail to beat United or Chelsea in their last 11 attempts.

He became aggressive with reporters who questioned his team. He snapped at one: ‘You are a football analyst, I will leave this analysis to you, why do you ask me when you know everything? (continue reading…)

Arsenal’s Samir Nasri claims Old Trafford has lost its fear factor ahead of his side’s Premier League visit to Manchester United on Monday night.

The Gunners are top of the table on goal difference from Manchester City, with United a further point behind.

But Nasri believes the current United team lacks the same aura of past teams.

“Manchester United is not the same team as before, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez it was a little bit scary to play at Old Trafford,” he said.

“Now I don’t think offensively they are the same as before, but still they are a good team and when they are 1-0 up it is very hard to beat them.

“We will see, but we are really confident to get a result out of this game.”

Although both managers Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have attempted to defuse the tension ahead of Monday’s showdown, Nasri’s remarks come after United defender Patrice Evra claimed earlier this week that that Gunners were in crisis. (continue reading…)

Arsenal must show that ‘they are ready’ to win the Barclays Premier League by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger used that phrase twice to tee up this evening’s clash.

The message was clear: this is Arsenal’s chance to show they have the maturity to win the title for the first time since 2004.
Game face: Arsene Wenger has ordered his side to show they are capable of winning the league at Old Trafford

Game face: Arsene Wenger has ordered his side to show they are capable of winning the league at Old Trafford

Manchester City drew level on points with the Gunners at the top of the table after their 3-1 win at West Ham on Saturday but have been rocked by Carlos Tevez’s transfer request.

Arsenal could compound their turmoil with victory at Old Trafford, which would take them three points clear, having played a game more than United.

Wenger said: ‘We have built a team and now we have an opportunity to show we are ready for the championship title. (continue reading…)