Barcelona Preview: Cesc decision made tonight & Gallas might start 31 March, 2010

Well tonight’s the night, in a matter of hours time all the build up can stop and we just get down to a simple game of football. It’s been one of the most anticipated games for a long time and a tie that many fans have wanted to see since that infamous night in Paris. Just a handful of players have survived in both sides from that final but both sets of fans remember what happened that night. We were 13 minutes away from the most famous win in our history but it was snatched away from us. I, like I’m sure many of you have still not watched that game back. I’ve got up to our goal but that’s it – I don’t want to see any more.

Tonight is not about revenge but it’s a chance to set the record right. The visitors will be favourites again but we don’t care about that, we know we can beat absolutely anyone what we get it right – we just have to make sure tonight is one of those. It’s a chance to beat the team that stole the Champions League off us and a chance to prove our coming of age against the toughest challenge.

The team news we were all waiting for yesterday on Fabregas was inconclusive. A decision will be made as late as the pre-match warm up but was rated 40% yesterday afternoon. I have no doubt that Cesc will be desperate to play and I have a feeling that he will make it. His father seems more positive that the manager, saying:

“The blow hurts a lot less now and it seems to be just a knock, nothing more serious. I think Cesc will play. Although he may not be at his best he will do everything he can to be part of it.”

We’re all praying that you make it Cesc so just do everything you can! He missed yesterday’s training session but is in the squad. So too is William Gallas who could make a shock return tonight. He was described as a doubt for the 2nd leg last week, but now he might even make the XI tonight, which is great news. Wenger said he’s had three days training and looks good. It’s come as a bit of a shock but all our defensive issues with whether Campbell is fit or not might have an unexpected solution. Arsene says Gallas ‘has a chance’ and says he will have a chat with him tomorrow and make a decision. However after watching the press conference yesterday I feel good about his chances.

If he doesn’t make it though we’ll have to hope Campbell has recovered well from Saturday. Thomas Vermaelen is a certain starter after sitting out this weekend through suspension and he says he doesn’t mind who he plays with. It must be disturbing having your partner change all the time but it doesn’t seem to bother ‘The Verminator’ who has played with all three of our centre backs.

I’m going to make an educated guess that both Cesc and Gallas make it tonight meaning we could line up something like this:

Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Clichy
Song
Fabregas (c) – Diaby
Nasri – Bendtner – Arshavin

It’s quite an attacking line up but Wenger says we will not change our game to suit the opposition. If Fabregas doesn’t make it then I guess Nasri will slot into the captain’s place and Eboue or Rosicky will come in on the right side of our attack. With that XI above it would mean a bench including Walcott, Eduardo, Eboue and Rosicky which are all great options to have. I thought Eboue might start tonight because of his penetrative qualities but there is still the chance that he will be preferred to Sagna. However I feel that certainly in the home leg, not conceding is more important than winning and the more defensive Sagna would be the better option at right back.

As for Barcelona we already know that Iniesta is out, Arsene thinks that they will miss him but admits that with Barcelona if one good player misses out another will replace him. They certainly have a lot of individual talent but Wenger made a point yesterday of focusing on them as a collective threat rather than pick out names, as did Vermaelen. He says they have too many good players just to pick out a few and we will be concentrating more on our strengths than theirs:

“I believe what you want from your team is not to worry too much about the strengths of Barcelona but more focus on our strengths, our qualities, be brave, go for it and then we have every chance.

We want to turn up and have a great performance. My team is on a fantastic run, even if we had a disappointment in the last minute on Saturday. Overall if you consider what this team has done in the last two months it is absolutely exceptional and I want that game tomorrow to be at the level of what we have produced recently.”

It’s a great way to look at it but I still believe we will be weary of what some players are capable of. You can’t talk about Barcelona without mentioning Messi who is an extraordinary talent. We need to keep him quiet one way or another because he is capable of a moment of brilliance any moment. Bendtner has described him as ‘crazy’ – hopefully he has a breakdown this afternoon and is admitted to a mental institution. Thierry Henry will obviously get a mention too returning to his former club but Wenger says we must remember how talented he is. Before and after the game there will be handshakes and happy memories but once that whistle goes we will do everything to beat him and his side.

I really don’t know what else I can say to build up to tonight’s game. The fixture itself should be mouth-watering enough for you to have butterflies in your stomach already. I haven’t been this excited for a game in a long time and I’ve just found out I’ve got a ticket!

We have to remember that this is just half of the tie and we still have to go to the Nou Camp next week whatever happens tonight. The best result would be to not concede and get whatever we can at the other end. I’d take a 0-0 now, that’s what we took out to Milan a couple of years ago and look how that affected the tie. However I see goals tonight, both we and Barca are such threats going forward but we’re a bit weak defensively. We just have to be solid at the back and try keep as much of their threat out as possible. As long as we’re still in it going into the second leg and we all see a master class in football tonight I’ll be happy.

I mentioned in my last post about turning the stadium red & white tonight, I’ve got my colours on already so remember to do your bit. Also bring along your scarves and flags and wave them like mad man. However most importantly, remember to sing your fucking heart out. I want the majority of fans not being able to speak at work tomorrow because they’ve fucked their vocal chords. I’m talking about non-stop singing from the first whistle until the last at the top of your voice. I hope you guys join me otherwise I’m going to look a bit mental on my own.

Well enjoy the game wherever you’re watching it. COME ON THE ARSENAL.