Sports / Soccer
Its Arsenal versus Barcelona
16 Feb 2011 at 10:25hrs | Views
Pep Guardiola says Barcelona will be ready and waiting for Arsenal if they decide to play rough at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
The two giants meet in North London in the glamour tie of the UEFA Champions Leaguelast 16, and Arsenal will be seeking revenge after losing 6-3 on aggregate to their Spanish rivals in the quarter-finals last year.
Young Gunners midfielder Jack Wilsherevowed earlier this week his side are prepared to get in Barca's faces to avoid the same humiliation as last season, when Arsenal drew 2-2 at the Emirates before going down in a crushing 4-1 defeat at Camp Nou.
But coach Guardiola is confident his side will be more than a match for Arsene Wenger's men if they opt for a physical approach.
Aggressive
"They're welcome to do so but we're waiting for them," said Guardiola.
"Last year they were also aggressive to do it but they couldn't get the ball. We took it off them.
"They came out to press and be physical, but we had the ball so they were forced to run after it.
"I imagine they will try to press us like they did last year, or even more, as they don't want to lose again."
Despite his confidence, Guardiola knows his side have shown vulnerability outside Spain when under pressure.
The Catalan club are yet to win a single game away from Camp Nou in the knockout stages, and were rocked by eventual winners Inter Milan in the semi-finals last year.
Moment"This is the best moment to break this record," he said. "But all those games we lost or drew also were good moments to break this streak.
"At times we've played well away from home, at times not, but of course it's something we have to be conscious of.
"But I'm not expecting a comfortable or easy game, nor will it be decided at the Emirates. The tie will be decided at the Nou Camp in three weeks."
The two giants meet in North London in the glamour tie of the UEFA Champions Leaguelast 16, and Arsenal will be seeking revenge after losing 6-3 on aggregate to their Spanish rivals in the quarter-finals last year.
Young Gunners midfielder Jack Wilsherevowed earlier this week his side are prepared to get in Barca's faces to avoid the same humiliation as last season, when Arsenal drew 2-2 at the Emirates before going down in a crushing 4-1 defeat at Camp Nou.
But coach Guardiola is confident his side will be more than a match for Arsene Wenger's men if they opt for a physical approach.
Aggressive
"They're welcome to do so but we're waiting for them," said Guardiola.
"Last year they were also aggressive to do it but they couldn't get the ball. We took it off them.
"They came out to press and be physical, but we had the ball so they were forced to run after it.
"I imagine they will try to press us like they did last year, or even more, as they don't want to lose again."
Despite his confidence, Guardiola knows his side have shown vulnerability outside Spain when under pressure.
The Catalan club are yet to win a single game away from Camp Nou in the knockout stages, and were rocked by eventual winners Inter Milan in the semi-finals last year.
Moment"This is the best moment to break this record," he said. "But all those games we lost or drew also were good moments to break this streak.
"At times we've played well away from home, at times not, but of course it's something we have to be conscious of.
"But I'm not expecting a comfortable or easy game, nor will it be decided at the Emirates. The tie will be decided at the Nou Camp in three weeks."
Source - Byo24News
