Arsenal’s eyes on strike trio as Barcelona comes to town

The form of Barcelona, and their fearsome front three of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, may be cause for much concern at the Emirates, but Wenger is determined to put Luis Enrique’s men on the back foot.

“Tomorrow everyone is convinced that we absolutely need to have, as a squad, total focus to have a chance and that is what I try to raise”.

‘They need to stay compact, play on the counter and score every time they get in their penalty area’.

Arsenal have exited the Champions League in the round of 16 in each of the last five seasons, having lost badly at home in the first leg in the last three campaigns.

Wenger talked about their inability to keep a clean sheet at home, which has stung them against Barcelona in recent years and wants for the team to add stability in attack and defence.

Barcelona won the Champions League past year and while Rakitic is keen to retain the trophy, he insists Barca are not thinking about that just yet. “It looked like that but he grows with the game does Sanchez”, Wenger said in quotes reported by The Mirror. They are not the holders of La Liga, the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League for no reason and they were finally able to register a couple of new players in January after their transfer embargo was lifted.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has outlined how the Gunners can beat another of his former clubs Barcelona.

The Germany worldwide has enjoyed an outstanding season for Arsene Wenger’s side and his absence was keenly felt on Saturday, when the Gunners laboured to a 0-0 FA Cup draw against Hull City with Ozil rested.

But Wenger emphasised that the only way to stop Barca’s attacking trio at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday is to play as a unit defensively.

In 2014, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in the first half against Bayern and Arsenal never had a chance after that.

“Although they are different characters, on the pitch they are pure harmony”, Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic said. “Even when they are dominated they are still very risky”, Wenger said. “Sanchez, I don’t think he was completely ready to come on”.