Injuries could scupper Arsenal’s Champions League progress

Arsenal face a difficult trip to the Nou Camp on Tuesday to face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League second round tie.

Arsenal hold a slight advantage having beaten the Catalans 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Absentees

However they face the worrying prospect of facing the Spanish champions without some of their key players.

Star striker Robin Van Persie and winger Theo Walcott have already been ruled out and their absences could prove vital for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Doubts

They are not the only players who could be missing from the Arsenal line-up though. Midfielders Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas are both doubts for the trip to the Nou Camp. Wilshere picked up an ankle knock against Sunderland on Saturday and according to reports has sat out training today.

Wilshere has shown in recent months that he is starting to fulfill his immense potential. His performance in the first leg against Barcelona earned rave reviews and he is fast becoming a crucial part of the Arsenal engine room. If he doesn’t play at the Nou Camp it will be a big blow for Arsene Wenger’s team.

Captain Cesc Fabregas is optimistic that he will make the second leg of this tie after suffering a hamstring problem in the last couple of weeks. He is the fulcrum of the Arsenal midfield and is also the leader of the side, something they missed in their recent Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham. Fabregas would be an even bigger absentee than Wilshere.

Fabregas will also be hoping to impress his prospective employers. Barcelona are still hoping to sign the former-La Masia graduate this summer after chasing the midfielder for the last couple of summers. A good performance against them could persuade the Catalan club to part with the cash necessary to sign the 23 year-old.

Barcelona

Since the first leg Barca have also had to contend with some injury problems. Playmaker Xavi Hernandez picked up a knock and was expected to be out injured for 10 days but he has made a quicker recovery than expected and played in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Real Zaragoza.

Keeper Victor Valdes was also expected to miss the second leg but made an unexpected comeback in the game against Zaragoza. The only real injury doubt they have is centre-back Carlos Puyol. However if reports coming from Spain are to be believed he will be ready for the clash.

Puyol’s return will be vital as the Catalan club will be without the suspended Gerard Pique. The former-Manchester United man usually partners Puyol at the back but is likely to be replaced by Frenchman Eric Abidal. Pique’s absence would have been more important had the likes of Walcott and Van Persie been fit to play.

However I believe Abidal to be a very solid replacement for Pique. If Barca boss Pep Guardiola chooses Argentine defender Gabriel Milito ahead of Abidal then I think Arsenal will have a far better chance of breaching the Barcelona backline.

Overall Arsenal’s absentees are far more likely to have an impact on the game than the potential absentees of Barcelona. Arsenal at full strength would have presented Barcelona with far more of a challenge. As it is I can’t see the Gunners progressing into the quarter-finals.

1-0

I remember the days when Arsenal were famous for winning 1-0 but the Spanish champions have won by that score in their last two La Liga games against Valencia and Zaragoza. A 1-0 win would be good enough for Barcelona. These two teams strengths are in the attacking third though and I doubt it will be 1-0.

Progress

I have mixed emotions about this game. I am a big fan of Barcelona but I have to admit that out of the English sides in the Champions League Arsenal are the team I most like to watch. This game would have made a great final but unfortunately one of these teams has to be knocked out at the second round stage. I believe that side will be Arsenal unfortunately for the Gunners fans.

Can Arsenal overcome Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League clash?