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Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can knock Barcelona out of the Champions League after being paired with the holders in today's quarter-final draw.
The Gunners will face the Catalan giants — and their former striker Thierry Henry — at Emirates Stadium on 31 March with the return leg on 6 April in the Nou Camp. If Arsenal progress to the semi-finals, they could face Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.
The draw in Nyon, Switzerland handed Manchester United a tie against Bayern Munich with the winners facing Lyon or Bordeaux. The final will take place on a Saturday night for the first time, at Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium on 22 May.
But the Gunners may have to take the next step without William Gallas, who has missed the last six matches with a calf problem. Despite this latest injury setback, Wenger remained confident of stopping Lionel Messi-inspired Barca.
“Of course they are a good side but so are we,” said the Arsenal manager. “If you go to the bookmakers tomorrow and try to place a few pounds you will see that we are not favourites. But for me we have a 50:50 game. If we turn up with our best performance we have a good chance to beat them.
“You can only take one step at a time. Of course the route is not easy but the best way to be successful is to go into those games in good condition and with a strong belief.”
On Gallas, Wenger said: “I hope he will play again soon, but at the moment, it does not look too good. Will he be ready to play against Barcelona? I would say he is already at 80 per cent out for the first leg but he should play again before the end of the season.”
The tie is a repeat of the 2006 final when Sol Campbell gave Arsenal the lead after goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had been sent off before Barca scored twice late on to lift the trophy.
Arsenal have met the defending champions three times in the competition but are yet to win while Henry will meet his former club for the first time since moving to Spain in 2007.
Another fascinating sub plot sees Cesc Fabregas pitted against the side he has been repeatedly linked with a £40million return to, having left Barca as a 16-year-old to move to north London. United have only won one of their seven meetings with Bayern, although that was the 1999 final.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “The history of playing Bayern in past European ties tells you it is going to be a very difficult tie for us. It'll be a fantastic atmosphere in both games. They have a great stadium and a good pitch and we're up against a good, experienced team.”
Chelsea may benefit from the scheduling of the two legs after they were knocked out by Inter this week.
United travel to the Allianz Arena on 30 March, just four days before the Blues travel to Old Trafford for a lunchtime kick-off that will go a long way to determining the destination of the Premier League title.
QUARTER-FINALS
Lyon v Bordeaux
Bayern Munich v Manchester United
Arsenal v Barcelona
Inter Milan v CSKA Moscow
SEMI-FINALS
Bayern Munich/Manchester United v Lyon/Bordeaux
Inter Milan/CSKA Moscow v Arsenal/Barcelona
Reader views (25)
What a tie this is what arsenal dream about beating the ex champions and going on to win
- Cuncky, ESSEX, 19/03/2010 16:44
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bye bye goons...barca are too good !!!
- Muzzi, London England, 19/03/2010 16:38
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is that really lionel messi's tongue in the pic accompanying this article? it curls nearly down to his chin. try it yourself and see how far it goes. no wonder why he is such a ladies' man.
- Monty Haynes, London, 19/03/2010 16:25
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what a tie,should be great,tall ask for us but its time for fabregas and co to show the footballing world how good they are.COME ON YOU GUNNERS....
- Puregunner75, Belfast, 19/03/2010 16:20
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Will all you lovely people that think Barca are going to run us ragged, please come back and say something after both legs have been played.
- Quiet_Gooner, London, 19/03/2010 16:05
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Mouthwatering? Is that because there will be lots of dribbling...
- Mike, St Albans, 19/03/2010 15:41
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A few heavy, clattering tackles on Messi, followed by a kick in the co##lers for Henry and that should set things up nicely for an even contest. Without that, Barca are three goals better than the Gunners over two legs I fear.
- Boris Norris, Alcossebre, Spain, 19/03/2010 15:37
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As an ARSENAL supporter I look forward to see us play a team who wont try to kick us off the pitch
- Tony, London, England, 19/03/2010 14:42
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As a Tottenham supporter, but equally importantly as a football fan, i am looking forward to this match.This is a mouthwatering tie. I have no doubt that Arsenal will give Barca a game, but i think they will prove a bit too strong for Arsenal in the end, but you never know, football is a very unpredictable game. Never the less a game i am looking forward to.
- Reginos Theodotou, London UK, 19/03/2010 14:17
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The Gunners have what it takes to nick this one over two legs.This tie will show that Arsenal have the class to rule Europe.
- Niran Ade-Onojobi, Lagos,Nigeria, 19/03/2010 14:04
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What an game; our biggest of the season. Spuds biggest game? Er........Fulham! ha ha ha
- Gaz, n7, 19/03/2010 14:04
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Let's see Henry do a few a hand balls against Woolwich Wanderers!
- Coys Switz, switzerland, 19/03/2010 13:51
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ha ha....
- Manila_Spur, Manila
Chapions League?? You're having a laugh! Even this season which is looking like the best chance Spurs are going to get to the top four... we all know that it's never going to happen!
C'MON YOU MIGHT GUNNERS - LET'S SHOW THEM HOW IT'S DONE!
- Kris, London, 19/03/2010 13:32
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Let's see what excuse Whinger comes out with when Barcelona roll them over. "Aah berleev we were the better team and Messi did not do much over two games other than score a few goals"
Bluetooth, London
I'd rather hear Wenger whinging when they lose than see the sort of petulance that Chelski have displayed the last few times they've been knocked out of the Champions League.
Slapping and spitting at United players in the final. Ballack and Drogba's "disgrace"-ful antics after Barca dumped them out. Now Drogba's thuggery and Terry's histrionics as Inter send them packing.
Wenger can't help whinging cos he's a sore loser but at least his team never plumbed the depths that the Chavski mob have when they've been dumped out of the Champions League.
Chelski are an embarrassment to British clubs when they play in Europe and consistently display their lack of class.
At least the Gooners only do a bit of moaning when they get their a*ses handed to them.
- Danny, Manchester, 19/03/2010 12:49
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You can only beat the team in front of you. You win all your games & you are champions. Enough said.
- Richard, Shrewsbury, UK, 19/03/2010 12:40
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Two teams that probably play the best football in the world - head to head - Lipsmackin'
Great for anyone who loves football
- Bruno, Cumnock, 19/03/2010 12:26
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Let's see what excuse Whinger comes out with when Barcelona roll them over. "Aah berleev we were the better team and Messi did not do much over two games other than score a few goals".
- Bluetooth, London, 19/03/2010 12:08
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Great draw, bring them on.... Arsenal against a footballing side, I quite fancy it
- Rob Gooner, North London, 19/03/2010 12:06
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well i will pay a fortune, top watch either of the matches.
Just thought, being here in switzerland i can watch them both at home with a nice drink.
Come on the Gunners.
and another thing, watching the world cup here in europe means i will not have to watch the stupid dave beckham chat all th time.
- Jaberwokie, bern switzerland, 19/03/2010 12:03
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I reckon Fulham could take 'em.
- Stu, Homeless., 19/03/2010 11:57
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Reckon Barca will win it 5-2 on agg,far more goal scoring threat,and even though the Gooners pass the ball well,Barca di it better,and will deffo score an away goal or two.
Reckon Messi will put Sol on his backside a few times
They also have greater experience.
Man U V Barca final for me.
- James, herts, 19/03/2010 11:52
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"ha ha...."
- Manila_Spur, Manila
At least we're playing them, mate.
The only way Spurs can get a tie against the Champions League holders is by begging them to appear in your pre-season tournament. And even then, they played a third string team against your first team and still came away with a draw!!! LMFAO!
Until you Spuds make it to the big leagues and actually get to compete against teams like Barca, the joke will always be on you!
- Steven, London, 19/03/2010 11:48
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When you are competing in the Champions League you have to play the top teams in Europe,I am relishing this tie win or lose,this is what playing in the competion is all about,COME ON YOU GUNNERS..............
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand, 19/03/2010 11:40
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Not the team I would have choosen at this stage of the competition but you have to play them sometime, so be it.
Maybe to get them at home first is not ideal either but its two legs whichever way you look at it, just hope for some really good football to be played.
Fabregas will at last get his chance to see how good he really is against other top European players.
- Tony, Hove England, 19/03/2010 11:33
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ha ha....
- Manila_Spur, Manila, 19/03/2010 11:26
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