Arsenal were
very nearly given a severe spanking at the Emirates but somehow dragged
themselves back into the tie and now after the drama of Saturday's
last-gasp success against Wolves they must raise themselves again for
one of the biggest tests of all - trying to stop Lionel Messi & Co.
in the volatile atmosphere of the Camp Nou.
It looks a tall order given
the sparkling displays Barca have treated Europe to and with 90,000
fans baying for more, Arsenal look to have the odds firmly stacked in a
pile against them.
And yet…The fighting spirit displayed in coming
back from 2-0 down last week was stirring stuff and ardent Gooners will
remember that Arsenal have reserved some of their finest European
performances for away trips (5-1 at Inter Milan? 2-0 at AC Milan
anyone?).
The team may be rocked by the major injuries that have
blighted the squad but stranger things have happened and 15/2 is a huge
price for them to get the win they need tonight. Worth a flutter?
Match
Odds (90 mins only)
Barcelona win 4/11
Draw 15/4
Arsenal win 15/2
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The win looks
the most likely route to securing qualification as Barca's away goals
will be hard to better in the draw - however, 2-2 would send the tie
into extra-time and even penalties.
If you fancy The Gunners to just go
through and you aren't sure or don't care how, then it's 9/2 for a semi-final berth.
To qualify for next round
Barcelona 1/8
Arsenal 9/2
Wenger
is unlikely to be too gung-ho in his approach early on, with his eyes
set on containing the free-flowing football of Barca on their home turf
and perhaps using the pace of Theo Walcott to hit the Catalans on the
break. A solid defensive showing is surely key so either Mikael
Silvestre or Sol Campbell will have to be the rock and it could be that
the odd goal will be the aim for the Gunners, although there is huge
money to be made if you fancy Arsenal to upset the odds - 75/1 for 2-0?
Maybe that is fanciful thinking - if Barca get the early goal you do
fear for the young and relatively inexperienced Arsenal team. Barca are
10/11 to be winning at both Half Time and Full Time and 8/1 to win the
match 3-0.
The 2-2 draw that would take Arsenal into Extra Time is a
13/1 shot and a win on Penalties for either side is currently 80/1
Correct Score
Barca win 1-0 8/1
Barca win 2-0 13/2
Barca win 2-1 7/1
Barca win 3-0 8/1
Barca win 3-1 17/2
Draw 0-0 11/1
Draw 1-1 8/1
Draw
2-2 13/1
Arsenal 1-0 25/1
Arsenal 2-0 75/1
Arsenal 2-1 22/1
Arsenal 3-0
300/1
Arsenal 3-1 90/1
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Messi is of course man of the moment - the best player on the planet
and seemingly unstoppable. No surprises then that he is just 13/5 to
score the first goal, 11/5 to score 2 or more goals and 6/1 to even bag
a hattrick. Ex-Arsenal terrace darling Thierry Henry is not on the best
of form at the moment but fuelled by the amazing reception he got at the Emirates, could he be the man to come on and break the deadlock as
well as Arsenal’s hearts? - he's 9/2 to score first.
Nicklas Bendtner
was the hero for Arsenal's Premier League bid on Saturday and he could
be the man to spearhead one of the great European results - his touch
and physical presence could be the key to unsettling Barca's defence
and he is 9/1 to break the deadlock.
Theo Walcott is one player Barca
fear and if his turn of pace can get him clear at any point, he has a
good chance to repeat his match-turning performance of the 1st Leg by
sticking one away - he is 11/1 to score first.
Elsewhere, midfield
maestro Samir Nasri must shoulder the creative burden in the absence of
Cesc Fabregas - a repeat of his wonder goal against Porto would be
handy - and he is a tasty 16/1 to score first
1st Scorer
Messi 13/5
Henry 9/2
Bojan 9/2
Xavi 9/1
Busquets 16/1
Toure 20/1
Bendtner 9/1
Eduardo 11/1
Walcott 11/1
Nasri 16/1
Rosicky 18/1
Diaby 20/1
Vermaelen
25/1
Denilson 33/1
Campbell 40/1
Sagna 80/1
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Source: DSG