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United must beware Ribéry while Arsenal must take game to Barça | David Pleat's analysis
guardian.co.uk Mar 19 2010 15:17
There is hope for Arsenal against Barcelona, and Manchester United must not underestimate Bayern Munich`s threatArsenal v BarcelonaArsenal will need to be at their scintillating best if they are to take a vital lead to Barcelona. Memories of Paris in 2006 will inevitably be stirred: could Sol Campbell, a scorer that night, crown his successful but controversial career with another major final? A big challenge will be how Arsenal`s centre-backs handle the wanderings of Lionel Messi. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic a pivot up front, Messi breaks from wide to central positions and opens up shooting opportunities with that magical left foot. Arsenal will need to clamp down on his runs as he comes inside. Alex Song could be vital, but the Premier League club must be so wary of conceding free-kicks. Pep
Barcelona's elasticity is a formidable test for Arsenal's tenacity | Kevin McCarra
guardian.co.uk Mar 19 2010 13:07
The two clubs share a philosophy of flair but Arsenal`s revenge for 2006 may have to waitThe Champions League had been a tonic for Arsenal. They suffered at the hands of Chelsea on the domestic scene, but Arsène Wenger`s team have outlasted them in European competition. Now the therapeutic effect of success over continental rivals is at high risk of coming to an end. Fatalism is pointless, however, and the encounter with the holders Barcelona should inspire Arsenal, who would love to emulate these opponents as well as beat them.Wenger and his opposite number Pep Guardiola have a shared vision, even if the Catalan has the greater means. The Barcelona coach, indeed, has that edge over just about everyone else since there are few players to compare with Lionel Messi. Arsenal, all the same, p
Arsenal draw Barcelona in Champions League quarter-finals
guardian.co.uk Mar 19 2010 07:29
• Arsenal face champions and United face Bayern Munich• English sides to meet in final if they overcome tough opponentsIn a tough Champions League draw for English sides, Arsenal will meet Barcelona in the quarter-finals, with Manchester United facing Bayern Munich.If Arsenal beat the current champions they will go on to meet Internazionale or CSKA Moscow in the semi-finals.United – the only other British team left in the competition – are on course to meet the winners of an all-French quarter-final between Lyon and Bordeaux.The two English sides will meet in the final if they progress.The semi-final draw was made in Switzerland at the same time as that for the quarter-finals, as has been the case in recent seasons.Eight teams from six different countries reached the quarter-finals