Pre-Barcelona Stuff: Atmosphere, Fabregas & more 30 March, 2010

As you can imagine, things are pretty busy round here in the build up to the biggest game Ashburton Grove has ever seen. You could say last year’s second leg Semi Final against Man United had the same sort of excitement factor but we get to play United a few times a year – Barca is a once every few years sort of occasion. It really is going to be something special and for once the media is bigging up an Arsenal match!

I have no doubts that the atmosphere is going to be electric but we’re being reminded that we need to show good form tomorrow night. I’ve heard us make some incredible noise at the new ground, it’s a shame it doesn’t come out every week but that can be worked on. Tomorrow night I’m expecting another cauldron of sound – we need to be singing from half past seven right through to the final whistle. Whether it’s pro-Arsenal or jeering the visitors every time they have the ball it’s all going to help. Barcelona are arguably the best team in the world but they won’t be happy about coming here and we need to make them as unwelcome as possible.

We’re being asked to get in the stadium extra early tomorrow and I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for some reason. If we could have a pretty much full house quarter of an hour before kick off that’d be brilliant. So if you’re going, forget that last pint, leave work as early as possible and get in the ground. We’ve also been asked to turn the stadium red and white so make sure you get your colours ready, also scarves, flags and whatever else you’ve got – bring ‘em along. RedAction have echoed the club’s request and have also these three banners on display tomorrow night: 1, 2 and 3. They’ve also asked anyone else with flags to bring them and/or get in contact with them (redaction.gooners@gmail.com) about hanging them from Club Level.

This game was always going to draw a lot of attention to Cesc Fabregas and there are loads of articles on Arsenal.com about him today. However the most important story at the moment is the matter of his fitness. He is a doubt and we will get further confirmation on him this afternoon in the pre-match press conference. At St. Andrew’s he did not look 100% and was obviously feeling that kick to the knee in the first half but insisted he could play on. I’m expecting the same sort of commitment from the skipper again tomorrow – I don’t see him declaring himself unfit, not for this game. Cesc would play through the pain to be apart of this match and although I have everything crossed that he’s ok I have a feeling he will be alright.

Obviously there has been more transfer speculation linking him back to his boyhood club but he has brilliantly waved it away yet again:

“We don’t need to talk about my future. I don’t understand all the rumours about me. I’ve always said that I’m happy at Arsenal. I can say a thousand times that I won’t go to a Spanish club, but nobody believes me. Arsenal is my home and I don’t have any plans to leave.

I know they will be two exciting games. We will, of course, give everything, and you know if you want to win the competition, you have to be ready to play anyone.

The last round of the Champions League was interesting and it shows you can never underestimate any opponents in this competition. It should be a warning that any team left in can beat anyone else – even if the reputation is lower maybe than Real Madrid, Chelsea or Liverpool, they can still win.”

I fucking love you Cesc. Tomorrow night is going to be a homage to ‘El Capitan’; not that he needs reminding what we think of him but win, lose or draw he’s going to be so proud to be captain of this football club. Hopefully he puts in a performance that reminds Barca just how badly they want him back.

A bit of early team news regarding the visitors and I’m sure you’ve heard that Iniesta is out. It’s no huge advantage but they will certainly miss him, he’s an important player for Barcelona. Also Thierry Henry has cleared up where he stands with a new statement saying it will be ‘strange’ to play against us but he will give everything for Barca if he’s selected. That’s a bit more like it, apparently that controversial interview was filmed before the draw and released afterwards to make it look worse. Naughty Sky Sports. He’ll get a great reception tomorrow for sure but I’m not expecting him to play, it depends how the game goes of course but he’s almost certain to start from the bench.

That’s probably about enough for a pre-match-preview-taster-preview. This afternoon’s press conference will give us a load more news and hopefully it’s good regarding Cesc – and Diaby who is also a doubt. It’s set to be a great night however as it stands it doesn’t look like I have a ticket. So if you know anyone with a spare get in touch!

Speak to you tomorrow in the preview. Thanks for reading.