Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves believes that the Catalan side’s Champions League tie against Arsenal will be decided in the second leg at the Nou Camp but insists that should Arsenal fail to play up to their usual standards they could struggle tonight at the Emirates.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger faces a tense wait to see if club captain Cesc Fabregas will be fit to face his childhood club while Barcelona’s talismanic playmaker Andres Iniesta has already been ruled out. With memories of the 2006 Champions League final still fresh in the memory, the game has been billed as an opportunity for the English club to gain revenge for their heartbreaking defeat in Paris, however Alves admits that Barca are still favourites.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Barcelona trained at Arsenal’s stadium, the Brazilian international stated:
"We're the favourites and there is extra pressure on us, but this is normal.
"We might be champions, but we're not guaranteed to reach the semi-finals.
"The tie will be decided in Camp Nou, although we want to boost our chances of success in London.
"In Europe there are no easy games. However, if we play our normal game with our normal rhythm then we should get a positive result.
"Every match is different and La Liga is not the Champions League. Against Osasuna we struggled to break down their defensive system, but I'm convinced Arsenal play a different kind of football.
"If the English side fail in trying to control the ball then we'll score goals. I'm sure.
"Our aim is to score in London and to pressurise the Gunners. We're improving our form in La Liga and we need to take that form into the Champions League.
"I'm optimistic as always and for me Barcelona will be in the semi-finals of the Champions League."