Arsenal need to say a prayer before Barcelona Champions League clash, says Matt Law
Sunday 21 February 2016 15:40, UK
Arsenal need to start praying if they have any hopes of beating Barcelona over two legs in the Champions League, Matt Law told the Sunday Supplement.
The Gunners face the current Champions League holders on Tuesday night in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie.
Luis Enrique's men stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 32 matches on Saturday with a 2-1 win at Las Palmas while Arsenal limped to a 0-0 draw with Hull City in the FA Cup.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made nine changes for Saturday's draw in preparation for the visit of Barca but Law reckons the Premier League side need more than just fresh legs to trouble the Catalan giants.
"They [Arsenal] need to just pray," the Telegraph's Law said on Sky Sports.
"Barcelona are 32 games unbeaten - it's Harlem Globetrotter football we've been seeing in recent weeks. Those three [Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez] going up against Per Mertesacker? You just can't see it, especially over two legs.
This isn’t me battering Arsenal or saying they’re not good enough, it’s just that Barcelona are on a different planet
"It's always a bit of a running joke with Arsenal - they'll probably get battered at home and then go 2-0 up in the Nou Camp, get everybody excited and ultimately go out. I'd imagine the tie will be over by the first leg as it often is.
"I can't see anything but Barcelona having a two-goal lead or more than that. It's no reflection on Arsenal - this isn't me battering Arsenal or saying they're not good enough, it's just that Barcelona are on a different planet.
"They're on a different level to anyone at the minute."
Barcelona's front three of Suarez, Messi and Neymar have scored 91 goals between them in all competitions this season - making them the most feared attack in world football.
And according to The Times journalist James Ducker, Arsenal don't have the defensive capabilities to keep a lid on the "ruthless" attacking play employed by Enrique's men.
He said: "The one thing that strikes me with the front three is how incredibly ruthless they are in front of goal. For Arsenal to have a chance Petr Cech will have to have a couple of worldies in a very organised defensive performance.
"Any chance Alexis Sanchez or Olivier Giroud get on the break, they're going to have to take.
"That's one of the differences with Arsenal - we saw it on Saturday - they're not the most ruthless of teams, but they are going to have to find a way. You're not going to get that many chances - they will have to take them."
