Arsenal: 10 Reasons To Be Satisfied With Barcelona UCL Draw
by Josh Sippie
Arsenal face the worst case scenario in Barcelona following the UCL draw. But it’s not all so bad. Here are ten reasons to be okay with it.
July 13, 2014; Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL; Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil (8) reacts from the pitch against the Argentina in the championship match of the 2014 World Cup at Maracana Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports
We all knew it was coming. Something about the knockout stages always means that Arsenal face a steep climb. We didn’t luck out and draw Zenit St. Petersburg or Wolfsburg. We got Barcelona.
Related: Arsenal’s Top 10 Champions League Moments
But take a deep breath. This is the Arsenal and in no way does that mean certain annihilation. Remember that time we lost to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos? That was supposed to mean certain annihilation too. But Arsenal is still alive and well in the Champions League.
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There are plenty of positives to pull from this Champions League draw. It’s not all doom and gloom. We beat Bayern Munich 2-0 after all. Between Barcelona and Bayern Munich there is very little room to separate the two. Both sit on top of the world.
We are about to deliver ten positives from this drawing, but first, let’s consider the consolation prize reason. Arsenal is in the knockout stages. 16 straight years. Meanwhile, Manchester United is facing Midtjylland in the Europa League. It could be worse.
With that bit in mind, here is when to take off work:
First leg
Arsenal v Barcelona
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Kick-off: 19.45 UK time
To be played at Emirates Stadium
Second leg
Barcelona v Arsenal
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Kick-off: 19:45 UK time
To be played at Camp Nou, Barcelona
And here is the full draw:
Gent v Wolfsburg
Roma v Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea
Arsenal v Barcelona
Juventus v Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid
Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg
Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City
Since I know you are just chomping at the bit to know those ten reasons why we should be okay drawing one of the two best teams in the world, let’s get started with this indubitable fact about our keeper.
!["arsenal,](https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_569,w_850/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F09%2Fmesut-ozil-soccer-world-cup-argentina-vs-germany.jpg")
We got Barcelona</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/27/arsenals-top-10-champions-league-moments/" target="_blank">Arsenal’s Top 10 Champions League Moments</a></p>
<p>But take a deep breath. This is the Arsenal and in no way does that mean certain annihilation. Remember that time we lost to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos? That was supposed to mean certain annihilation too. But Arsenal is still alive and well in the Champions League.<div class="related-category right">
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<p>There are plenty of positives to pull from this Champions League draw. It’s not all doom and gloom. We beat Bayern Munich 2-0 after all. Between Barcelona and Bayern Munich there is very little room to separate the two. Both sit on top of the world.</p>
<p>We are about to deliver ten positives from this drawing, but first, let’s consider the consolation prize reason. Arsenal is in the knockout stages. 16 straight years. Meanwhile, Manchester United is facing Midtjylland in the Europa League. It could be worse.</p>
<p>With that bit in mind, here is <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20151214/arsenal-draw-barca-in-champions-league">when to take off work:</p>
<p><strong>First leg</strong><br />
Arsenal v Barcelona<br />
Tuesday, February 23, 2016<br />
Kick-off: 19.45 UK time<br />
To be played at Emirates Stadium</p>
<p><strong>Second leg</strong><br />
Barcelona v Arsenal<br />
Wednesday, March 16, 2016<br />
Kick-off: 19:45 UK time<br />
To be played at Camp Nou, Barcelona</p>
<p>And here is the full draw:</p>
<p>Gent v Wolfsburg<br />
Roma v Real Madrid<br />
Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea<br />
Arsenal v Barcelona<strong><br />
</strong>Juventus v Bayern Munich<br />
PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid<br />
Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg<br />
Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City</p>
<p>Since I know you are just chomping at the bit to know those ten reasons why we should be okay drawing one of the two best teams in the world, let’s get started with this indubitable fact about our keeper.</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">10. Petr Cech has never lost to Barcelona</h3>
<p>When Petr Cech saw the draw, amidst the raucous screams and wails emanating all around North London, he probably shrugged his shoulders and muttered ‘been there, done that’. Petr Cech has never lost to Barcelona. Not once. In fact, as a little appetizer for the February showdown, let’s Cech out a video of Cech shutting down Barcelona:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/7pqQ8Hq4WDY" height="480" width="854"></iframe></p>
<p>If he can do it for Chelsea, he can do it for Arsenal.</p>
<p>Having that world class keeper at the back is one thing that has held Arsenal back over the years. They did not have that domineering presence to step forward and inspire the team. The defense should be able to sit confidently knowing that the man behind them could quite literally stop anything and Arsenal finally has that.<div class="recent-posts ">
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<p>That little leap puts Arsenal in elite company. They already had a potent attack and a solid defense, but they have a world-class keeper now and that should strike fear into our opponents. Yes, even Barcelona has learned to fear Petr Cech and for just cause. The Cech stopper effectively stoned the Catalans as he drove Chelsea to Champions League glory. And it’s not like he has gotten any worse.</p>
<p>Next up, let’stalk about something else Barcelona has trouble doing against Petr Cech.</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">9. Lionel Messi has never scored against Petr Cech</h3>
<p>Lionel Messi is the lifeblood of Barcelona. While they boast a fantastic team play and while they have the likes Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta and more, it is through Lionel Messi that this team runs. It always has been. Even Zlatan Ibrahimovic, during his time in Spain, ragged on the club because he was so frustrated at this fact. Everything that happened, happened through Lionel Messi.</p>
<p>For starters, Lionel Messi is in the midst of a down year due to injury. But that is not the story here. The story here is that the Argentine forward has never scored against Petr Cech. Not once.</p>
<p>Now, you could point out the obvious fact that Lewandowski hadn’t either until Arsenal traveled to Bavaria, to which I would say touche.</p>
<p>Still, until Messi scores against Cech, there is always going to be that mental wall that faces the striker every time he squares up to take on Cech’s goal. He does strike a rather imposing figure.</p>
<p>Moving on, we touch on a bit of history.</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">8. Barcelona has never blown out Arsenal.</h3>
<p>Call it a small consolation, but in the brief history between these two clubs, Barcelona has never come out and waxed Arsenal. Not like Bayern Munich did in Germany at least. Let’s look at the matches through the years. Arsenal faced Barcelona in the Champions League final in 2006 and despite notching the opening goal, they ended up falling by the slim margin of 2-1.<div class="recent-posts ">
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<p>Arsenal would then face the Catalan side in the knockout stages of the 2009/10 season. The home leg played out to a nervy 2-2 draw. Arsenal was picked apart a bit in the away leg at 4-1 but a 6-3 aggregate is not unreasonable.</p>
<p>Finally, Arsenal would face the Spaniards again the next year in the knockout stages. After a spectacular 2-1 home win, Arsenal went into Camp Nou needing to hold that result, which they were unable to do, as the fell 3-1 and therefore 4-3 on aggregate.</p>
<p>Tell me that Barcelona is head and shoulders above Arsenal and I will point to these results. Plus, after that Champions League final in 2006, the rest of the match-ups were during Arsenal’s debt years when they could not maintain a star player to save their life.</p>
<p>Speaking of that time we beat Barcelona…</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">7. Arsenal have beat Barca before</h3>
<p>Just once? Yes, I know. But it was also in the most recent knockout stage. 2011 was not the best year for Arsenal. Although they did scrape out third place in the Premier League, Arsenal lost Captain Fantastic to Barcelona. The team was run through Robin Van Persie almost to a fault. Every Arsenal success was dependent on the Flying Dutchman.<div class="recent-posts ">
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<p>In goal, Arsenal had Manuel Almunia, Wojciech Szczesny and Vito Mannone. Andre Santos was on defense. Nicklas Bendtner was striking. That is the state that Arsenal was in.</p>
<p>Yet, when Arsenal welcomed Barcelona to the Emirates, the Gunners won 2-1. Against all odds, the Gunners accomplished the impossible. They had beaten the Catalan giants and held their Champions League fate in their own hands.</p>
<p>Of course, they ended up losing on aggregate, but look where Arsenal is now. Manuel Almunia? Not anymore. Now we have Petr Cech. Andre Santos? Not anymore, now we have Nacho Monreal. Sebastian Squiallaci? Not anymore. Now we have Laurent Koscielny. Nicklas Bendtner? Not anymore. Now we have Olivier Giroud.</p>
<p>And that does not even include Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez. Which brings me to my next point.</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">6. Arsenal can beat anyone</h3>
<p>At some point, it had to be said. Rather than wait until we got too far up on the list, I thought I would just get it out of the way. Arsenal can beat anyone on their day. Arjen Robben has said it, Theo Walcott has said it – people know it. The Gunners control a lot of respect in the footballing world for just cause.</p>
<p>It really is rather special what Arsenal have done. They are the only English team to go into the Allianz Arena and win. They went into the Santiago Bernabeu and won as well, and that was with Mathieu Flamini at left back. Seriously, who hasn’t Arsenal beaten?</p>
<p><strong>Related:</strong><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-20-greatest-goals-last-20-years/" target="_blank"> Arsenal’s 20 Best Goals From Last 20 Years</a></p>
<p>Granted, it takes more than beating a team once or twice to say you are on par with them. But the base is there. Arsenal, when backed into a corner and needing a result, is a remarkable team. Arsenal welcomed Bayern Munich to the Emirates this year absolutely needing a win and they got it, 2-0.</p>
<p>I will hearken back to Monaco last year although it still tastes salty. Arsenal were embarrassed at home, 3-1. They went into Monaco trying to overcome that deficit against one of the best defenses in football. A defense that shut out PSG and would go on to only let Juventus score once. Yet Arsenal dug deep and leveled the aggregate, despite being eliminated on the away goal rule.</p>
<p>Reminiscing aside, let’s talk about what Arsenal have at their disposal.</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">5. Arsenal have Aaron Ramsey</h3>
<p>It’s looking like when these matchups role around, Aaron Ramsey will still be holding onto the central midfield role. Honestly, that should frighten Barcelona. When Aaron Ramsey is in that central midfield role, he is world class, no questions about it. He has been an absolute marauder ever since he became a regular. 2013/14 was his breakout year, when he compiled 16 goals and ten assists.<div class="recent-posts ">
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<p>While 2014/15 is often seen as a down year, that is because he only spent half the year at central midfield, dealt with three hamstring injuries, and was then moved out wide. Yet he still amassed nine goals and seven assists.</p>
<p>Being returned to his favored central role means that he will be returned to Arsenal’s favored 2013/14 form. And that means that Arsenal will be blessed with an engine that can rev from box to box, contributing to all facets of the game. He also has a knack for heroics, as we witnessed against Hull City.</p>
<p>Plus, remember that time Barcelona <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/aaron-ramsey-to-barcelona-arsenal-midfielder-flattered-by-talk-of-50m-move-to-spain-and-admits-he-10415575.html">reportedly looked to offer up £50 million to secure Aaron Ramsey? Well, now they have to play him.</p>
<p>And who else does Arsenal have?</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">4. Arsenal have Alexis Sanchez</h3>
<p>Alexis Sanchez spent three years at Barcelona, scoring 39 goals in 88 appearances. He was suiting up alongside Lionel Messi and some of the greats in the world of football. And yet Barcelona sold him, choosing to replace him with Luis Suarez. But it was not just Barcelona’s decision, Alexis chose to quit Barcelona for Arsenal.<div class="related-category right">
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<p>“I thought that Arsenal was the perfect club for me, the perfect club to win titles and compete in every competition,” the Chilean mastermind said, as quoted by <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/580506/Alexis-Sanchez-Arsenal-Liverpool-FA-Cup-BT-Sport">the Express</a>.</p>
<p>Leaving behind Barcelona to find more success at another team is always a dicey endeavor. Yet that is exactly what Alexis Sanchez is trying to do and what better time to start than now? Alexis is going to want to stick it to Barcelona and show them that he made the right choice. He will want to show them that he did not need La Liga to find success. That he could find it on the most competitive stage in all of football.</p>
<p>And let’s go ahead and round off the trifecta that makes Arsenal so vastly different than what the club had in 2011</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">3. Arsenal have Mesut Ozil</h3>
<p>The last time Arsenal faced Barcelona in the same stage back in 2011, Arsenal won the home leg 2-1 but succumbed to a 3-1 away loss. A 4-3 aggregate is actually a very respectable result. Especially when considering Arsenal was in the midst of paying off the Emirates and losing their star players left and right. That time is over and Arsenal has been able to spend money recently.</p>
<p>That 4-3 aggregate score was without the creative genius that drives this offense now – Mesut Ozil. This is what Mesut Ozil can do against Barcelona:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/1kBAsbG6aNI" height="480" width="854"></iframe></p>
<p>And he’s even better now. Ozil is a creative genius that Barcelona would love to get their paws on. Luckily he is firmly embedded in the Arsenal culture and he will take that creativity to a Barcelona that is not physical enough to cause Ozil many troubles on the ball.<div class="team-news right"> <div class="team"> <div class="logo"> <div class="logo-container"> <div class="logo-box"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fepl%2Farsenalfc.png" alt="Arsenal FC"> </div> <div class="team-box"> <h3 style="color: #c01f2f">Arsenal FC</h3> </div> </div> </div> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=TeamNews%22 data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="team-news-shortcode"> <div class="top-news"> <div class="top-news-img" style="background-image: url(https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,w_590,h_388,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1456433744-850x560.jpeg);"> </div> <h4> <div class="top-news-site" style="background-color: #c01f2f">Pain in the Arsenal <span class="time-published">0d - </span> </div> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </h4> </div> </a> <div class="more-news"> <h5>More headlines around FanSided:</h5> <a class="more-news-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://thetopflight.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-predicted-lineup-vs-burnley/?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=TeamNews%22 style="color: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode">0d - Arsenal predicted lineup vs Burnley: Odegaard to return?</a> <a class="more-news-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=TeamNews%22 style="color: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode">0d - When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury?</a> <a class="more-news-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=TeamNews%22 style="color: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode">0d - 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window</a> <a class="more-news-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=TeamNews%22 style="color: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode">1d - Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023</a> <a class="more-news-link" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=TeamNews%22 style="color: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode">1d - Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start?</a> <div class="get-more-news">More News at <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"https://paininthearsenal.com?utm_source=FanSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=TeamNews%22 style="color: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="team-news-shortcode">Pain In The Arsenal</a> <br> </div> </div> </div>
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<p>Barcelona is a team like Arsenal that likes to control the ball and dominate possession. So does Ozil. But in all likelihood, Arsenal will be striking primarily on the counter attack. It just so happens that Mesut Ozil is even better in that scenario, which is a scenario that he not often found himself having to take part in at Real Madrid.</p>
<p>Mesut Ozil has a history against Barcelona. He knows how they tick. It will be just another day at the office when he takes them on in the Champions League.</p>
<p>Mesut Ozil has finally come into the form that Wenger bought him for. There are few that could stand in his way and stop him. Barcelona’s play style does not strike me as a type that can accomplish that feat.</p>
<p>We are down to the final two reasons why Arsenal drawing Barcelona is no big deal. Let’s get ambitious.</p>
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">2. It had to happen at some point</h3>
<p>You know what they say. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. Ignoring that Arsenal has already beaten all of the best, let’s focus on the facts. This is the Champions League. Arsenal was not going to be crowned UCL champions by beating Zenit, Wolfsburg and Benfica. At some point in the competition, Arsenal was going to have to face a Real Madrid, a PSG or a Barcelona.<div class="recent-posts ">
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<p>Granted, Arsenal did draw one of the two best teams in the world, but what better time to face them? Arsenal was down and out of the competition after matchday two, yet they pulled on their big boy boots and kicked Bayern Munich in the teeth, then went on to qualify.</p>
<p>February is a long way away, but you can bet that when Barcelona is next up on the schedule, Arsenal’s Champions League momentum will still be holding strong. It is a foolish decision to ever count the Gunners out of anything, as they have proved on numerous occasions. Do not count them out just because they drew Barcelona.</p>
<p>Finally, and most importantly, let’s revisit the main perk of February being so far away.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/12/14/arsenal-10-reasons-to-be-satisfied-with-barcelona-ucl-draw/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">1. Health</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
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<h3 style="font-size:34px;">1. Arsenal will be healthier</h3>
<p>I’m going out on a bit of a limb here, but by the time February rolls around, Arsenal will not be in the same injury crisis that they are in now. Currently, Arsenal is lacking the key defensive contributions of Francis Coquelin. They are lacking Alexis Sanchez. They are without Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, and Tomas Rosicky.</p>
<p>Arsenal has health problems. But when these matchups roll around, Arsenal will see Coquelin restored to the base of the midfield (hopefully) as well as Alexis having had a winter break after all. Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere have always been wild cards, yet even Xavi has sung the praises of young Wilshere.</p>
<p>Arsenal is finding all of their recent success without so many players that were dubbed ‘key components’ of the team. So what happens when they come back? Arsenal can deal with even more.</p>
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