Arsenal set to take the attack to Barcelona

LONDON (AP):

Arsenal plan to remain faithful to their attacking belief against Barcelona in the Champions League today, despite having been comprehensively outplayed by the Catalan club in the competition last year.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his team won't sit back and merely defend at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the last-16 match.

"Tomorrow we want to be faithful to our philosophy. To make sure we dominate the game, that we pass the ball and that we have possession of the ball," Wenger said yesterday. "If we do that, we have a very good chance of beating them."

But he acknowledged he may have to change tactics for the return leg at the Camp Nou, where Lionel Messi scored all four goals as Barcelona crushed Arsenal 4-1 in the second leg of their quarter-final last year to win 6-3 on aggregate.

Arsenal hope to exploit the defensive weaknesses evident in Barcelona's 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

But stopping Messi, who has shown no signs of being tamed, may be more difficult to accomplish. Messi has scored 40 goals in all competitions this season, including 24 in the Spanish league.

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby urged his teammates not to be obsessed with Messi, who has won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards under coach Pep Guardiola.

"We need to be focused on the way we defend and not be focused on one man," Diaby said. "We know that individually he is really good, but if we do the job together I think it will be difficult for him. For me, that is the best way to control him and control the game."

Diaby played in both legs against Barcelona last year and can vouch for the visitors' depth of talent and skill.

"When you focus on one man it is never a good idea, because they have also got (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi (Hernandez), (David) Villa - so many players," he said. "The most important thing is to be well organised defensively and when we have got the ball, play our game."

The last time Barcelona played at Emirates Sta-dium, the team produced a sensational attacking display in the first half that was foiled by save after save from Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. The game ended 2-2.

Arsenal look to have a more settled team this time, with main striker Robin van Persie expected to start after having missed last year's matches because of injury.

Arsenal's midfield has also been tougher defensively this season and the emergence of Jack Wilshere as a gritty complement to captain Cesc Fabregas has been a boost.

Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez said his team isn't taking anything for granted.

"They're a great team and very difficult opposition with very good players, especially up front," Rodriguez said, adding that the form of Fabregas and Van Persie will make it "a very difficult tie, different from last year as maybe they are more dangerous".