Bendtner can gun down Barca - Wenger

Arsene Wenger feels Nicklas Bendtner can give Arsenal "something different" as they look for a shock Champions League victory over Barcelona. Wenger openly admits the Gunners are lucky to still have a chance of progress to the semi-finals after they were completely dominated by the holders during the opening stages of the first leg before somehow salvaging a 2-2 draw.Arsenal were already missing captain Cesc Fabregas, who suffered a cracked bone in his leg when winning the late penalty which levelled the tie, as well as centre-back William Gallas and Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin, and yesterday lost midfielder Alex Song to a knee problem.However, Wenger maintains his team have what it takes to produce a performance on one of Europe's biggest stages.Barcelona's central-defensive pair Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique are both suspended - a tactical advantage Denmark striker Bendtner could be able to exploit.The 22-year-old netted a vital stoppage-time winner to beat Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, continuing his decent form after a hat-trick against Porto in the last round of the Champions League.While Bendtner - who missed a good chance with a close-range header in the first leg - is often criticised for not being clinical enough in front of goal, Wenger has every confidence in the big Dane."He is important because he gives us something different," said the Arsenal manager."Bendtner has size, is good in the air, on crosses you have hope with him."When people told us you have no Plan B he gives us a little bit - we always want to play football, but he gives us an option in the air that we did not have without him."Theo Walcott is expected to be in the starting XI tonight, having impressed when he came off the bench at Emirates Stadium.The introduction of the England winger helped turn the match, as Barca full-back Maxwell was unable to live with his pace.Walcott slotted in an impressive individual goal before a late penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas levelled a dramatic tie.Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the impact of the 21-year-old, who produced an efficient display when restored to the starting XI against Wolves.Walcott would like nothing more than to be given another chance to impress against the European champions."As a winger, an attacking player, you always have to be on the front foot. Hopefully I can get at them and will give them a problem," Walcott said."If I can create space for some of the others, then that is all part of my job."It is a nice thing to have people talking good things - I just have to do it on the pitch."Despite their injury problems, Wenger firmly believes Arsenal have what it takes to progress."At 2-0 down in the first leg, I felt we needed a miracle, but always had hope. I know this team will never give up," Wenger said."The players know they escaped being out of the competition and we have a chance which we have to take."It is Easter and we have to resuscitate [resurrect] - that is what we want to do at the Nou Camp."

Source: Team_Talk