Arms stockpile’s prospects of toppling Champions League holders Barcelona in front of their Round-of-16 arrangement getting in progress were not precisely promising, but rather in front of one week from now’s second leg even the most idealistic Gunners fan will battle to hold out any expectation of advancement.
A 2-0 rout at the Emirates Stadium two weeks back, means Arsenal will go to the Camp Nou next Wednesday confronting a foreboding undertaking in the event that they are to abstain from leaving the Champions League at the last 16 stage for the 6th successive season. Neither history nor late frame is in the London side’s support.
That misfortune gave to them by a Lionel Messi prop hastened a pitiful keep running of structure for Arsenal in the Premier League. A keep running of only a solitary point from matches against Manchester United, Swansea City and Tottenham has left Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge hanging by a string, having fallen eight focuses afloat of pioneers Leicester City. A 4-0 win over Hull City in a FA Cup fifth round replay on Tuesday has done little to lift the anguish, with one pennant in the group catching the mind-set of some Arsenal fans by proposing that Wenger’s chance at the club ought to be conveyed to an end.
The inclination couldn’t be more diverse in Barcelona. With a 4-0 win at Eibar on Sunday, the Catalan side set another Spanish record of 35 matches unbeaten. They have likewise now won 17 matches in progression, barring a 1-1 attract with Valencia a Copa del Rey second leg that had been rendered insignificant.
The win over Eibar likewise raised another point of reference. With another twofold for Messi and a further strike from Luis Suarez, the celebrated around the world assaulting trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar took their objective scoring count for the season to 100 objectives, with still over two months of the crusade remaining. Essentially preventing the trio from scoring guarantees to be a noteworthy test for Arsenal, given that stand out side has accomplished that deed so far this season.
History will give little solace to Arsenal, either. Barcelona have never lost a tie in Europe’s head rivalry subsequent to winning the primary leg far from home, while Arsenal have never toppled a home first-leg misfortune in any European rivalry. In each of the last three seasons, Arsenal left the opposition at this stage having neglected to return from a first-leg rout at the Emirates, twice against Bayern Munich and a year ago against Monaco. Also, on their last two visits to the Camp Nou, in 2010 and 2011, Arsenal were not able advance in spite of recording a 2-2 draw and afterward a 2-1 triumph in the principal legs.
Some minor consolation for Arsenal will originate from the nonattendance for the second leg of key Barcelona focus back Gerard Pique through suspension. In any case, Luis Enrique’s side will have Arda Turan accessible to make his Champions League debut for the club after he served a suspension in the principal leg.
What’s more, Arsenal have a lot of determination issues of their own. And as yet missing Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla to long haul issues, their damage list has erupted again lately. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stays precluded taking after a damage endured in a test with Javier Mascherano in a month ago’s first leg, while compelling goalkeeper Petr Cech is presently sidelined with a calf issue.
The win over Hull came at a noteworthy expense, as well, with Aaron Ramsey, Gabriel and Per Mertesacker all getting wounds. Albeit Mertesacker ought to rapidly be back in real life subsequent to misery a cut close to his eye, the anticipation for Gabriel and especially Ramsey is all the more concerning. Wenger has additionally yet to welcome back focus back Lauren Koscielny from a calf damage. www.fourfour2.com