Only best will do says Wenger ahead of Barcelona clash

Arsene Wenger has warned that only Arsenal’s best will give them a chance of beating Barcelona tonight as the two most attractive sides in European football resume their Champions League rivalry.

The English giants welcome the Spanish league leaders to north London determined to erase the memory of last season’s masterclass, when Barcelona crushed Wenger’s side 6-3 on aggregate over two legs.

Although Barcelona are overwhelming favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, Wenger believes his side have absorbed the lessons handed out in that defeat and are a stronger unit 10 months on.

“When you play a team like Barcelona you need all 11 to be at their best,” Wenger said.

“For us it is important we play with belief.

“What we have learned from last season is in the first half we gave them too much respect, we were lucky to get away with that (in the home leg).

“We are not favourites in this game but I think we can do it.

“We know from last season that what is most important is to play at our level. Barcelona are maybe better this season than last season but so are we. That will make the game even more interesting.”

Last season, Arsenal were run ragged in a scintillating first-half display at the first leg, eventually fighting back from 2-0 down to snatch a 2-2 draw.

The return leg at the Nou Camp saw Wenger’s men swept aside after a virtuoso display from Lionel Messi, scorer of all Barcelona’s goals in a 4-1 win.

Wenger however believes that the presence of Robin van Persie, who missed the match last year, and Cesc Fabregas, who missed the second leg, mean his team will be a different proposition for today’s last 16 clash.

Van Persie scored both goals in Arsenal’s win over Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, and the Dutch striker’s form is a source of optimism for Wenger as his side prepare for their biggest game of the year.

“It took (Van Persie) some time to come back into form (this season), but now he is at his best,” said Wenger.

“We go into the game in better shape than last year, and Robin is part of that. Then the team had less confidence. We have matured better, we can certainly compete technically better with them.

“We will try to play to our strengths. We will try to attack.”

Arsenal could also be bolstered by the dramatic return of Samir Nasri. The French playmaker, initially thought to be out of contention for the game after injuring a hamstring last month, is available according to Wenger.

“I would not rule it out but I will not take a crazy gamble,” Wenger said.

“Physically he is ready, but there is the risk of a setback.”

Barcelona, meanwhile, are likely to be without central defender Carles Puyol as they aim to bounce back from the disappointment of seeing their record-breaking run of 16 straight victories in La Liga come to an end in a 1-1 draw with Sporting Gijon at the weekend.

Barca winger Pedro Rodriguez agreed with Wenger that Arsenal were a stronger side from the one beaten last season.

“It will be a very difficult tie, different from last year as maybe they are more dangerous,” Pedro said.

“They are in very good form. They have great players, especially up front. They have Cesc and (Robin) Van Persie, who is in very good form.

“It will be a nice game, open, and one where we hope to get a good result.”