Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal are in a stronger position to face Barcelona

Arsène Wenger believes
Arsenal are in a stronger
position to face Barcelona
than they were last season.
The Gunners go into
Wednesday ’s Knockout
Round first-leg seemingly at
the peak of their powers
and, in Robin van Persie,
boast one of Europe’s in-
form players. The Dutchman
missed both ties against the
Catalans last year but has
been imperious of late with
ten goals in seven Premier
League games.
Arsenal are unbeaten in the
top flight since December - a
run stretching back nine
games - and Wenger
believes that his side have
made a significant, and
timely, improvement.
“Personally I believe we go
into the Barcelona game in
better shape than last year
and Robin is part of that, ”
said the Arsenal manager.
“We had many uncertainties
[last year], the team for me
had less confidence. Now we
have matured better and we
can certainly compete
technically better with them.
“In the first game last
season, Robin was injured,
Gallas went off at half time,
Arshavin went off after 15
minutes while Song and
Fabregas [didn ’t play] in the
second game. We are in a
better shape this time. ”
Much is said of Barcelona’s
wonderful attacking options
but Wenger is also wary of
the threat posed when Pep
Guardiola ’s side do not have
the ball.
“They are not just good at
attacking, they also defend
very well and for us it will be
very important to get out of
their pressure.
“If we can get out of that
pressure then I think we can
be dangerous so for us we
have to think about what we
do and how we do it.