csconstantine.com

LONDON (AP)—Arsenal plans to remain faithful to its attacking philosophy against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday despite having been comprehensively outplayed by the Catalan club in the competition last year.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his team won’t sit back and merely defend at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the last-16 match.

“If we manage to get them under pressure, we will create chances,” Wenger said.

But he acknowledged he may have to change tactics for the return leg at the Camp Nou, where Lionel Messi scored all four goals as Barcelona crushed Arsenal 4-1 in the second leg of their quarterfinal last year to win 6-3 on aggregate.

Arsenal hopes to exploit the defensive weaknesses evident in Barcelona’s 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

But stopping Messi, who has shown no signs of being tamed, may be more difficult to accomplish. Messi has scored 40 goals in all competitions this season, including 24 in the Spanish league.

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby urged his teammates not to be obsessed with Messi, who has won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards under coach Pep Guardiola.

“We need to be focused on the way we defend and not be focused on one man,” Diaby said. “We know that individually he is really good, but if we do the job together I think it will be difficult for him. For me, that is the best way to control him and control the game.”

Diaby played in both legs against Barcelona last year and can vouch for the visitors’ depth of talent and skill.

“When you focus on one man it is never a good idea, because they have also got (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi (Hernandez), (David) Villa—so many players,” he said. “The most important thing is to be well organized defensively and, when we have got the ball, play our game.”

The last time Barcelona played at Emirates Stadium, the team produced a sensational attacking display in the first half that was foiled by save after save from Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. The game ended 2-2.

Arsenal look to have a more settled team this time, with main striker Robin van Persie expected to start after having missed last year’s matches because of injury.

Arsenal’s midfield has also been tougher defensively this season and the emergence of Jack Wilshere as a gritty complement to captain Cesc Fabregas has been a boost.

Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez said his team isn’t taking anything for granted.

“They’re a great team and very difficult opposition with very good players, especially up front,” Rodriguez said, adding that the form of Fabregas and Van Persie will make it “a very difficult tie, different from last year as maybe they are more dangerous.”

The Gunners beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 last Saturday, putting an embarrassing result against Newcastle behind them from the previous weekend. The team surrendered a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4.

Arsenal also hopes to be lifted by the return of Samir Nasri, who has been sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury. Barcelona, meanwhile, confirmed that center back Carles Puyol would not make the flight because of a knee injury.

Labels: Arsenal, attack, Barcelona