Barcelona’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain expects Arsenal to pose a formidable threat to the reigning Champions League holders but believes that Pep Guardiola squad should have enough in their locker to overcome Arsene Wenger’s young charges in the second leg.
Arsenal will be looking for revenge for their 2006 Final defeat by Barca in Paris and will have to rewrite the history books as they go in search of their first win over the Catalan giants.
Speaking about the tie, Begiristain praised Arsenal’s attacking outlook and noted that fans across the world would be expecting a great game.
"It's a great tie," he said. "We are two teams who don't shut up shop and play long ball football, and this tie will be nice for the fans.
"It will be a good spectacle and we'll see if we are a little stronger than them.
"In any case, the best news is knowing that we will be playing the return leg at home. We are strong at home and we've shown that.
"Cesc returns to the Nou Camp but Thierry Henry will also face his former team and that makes it even more interesting.”