Two of the most entertaining football teams in the world come face to face on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium in North London. The much-anticipated fixture is expected to bring the world to a standstill as the two sides battle for an impressive start in their journey to the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Champions League. The wait is finally over and Arsenal are now ready to welcome a Barca side that has not tasted defeat in their last 32 matches in all competitions.
WATCH: Arsene Wenger says he is not afraid of the Champions League defending champions
The Gunners are clearly the underdogs on paper but on the pitch, Luis Enrique’s men should be worried of the fact that the North Londoners have gunned down some European giants at the Emirates Stadium, most recently Bayern Munich, who had gone 12 matches unbeaten before travelling to London for their group stage match against the Premier League title contenders.
But this is not an ordinary Barcelona that would be travelling to England this time round; the Catalan giants can only be compared with a fully-loaded machine gun firing from all corners. With the availability of the attacking trio of the lethal Luis Suarez, the skilful Neymar Jr and the clinical Lionel Messi, Arsenal will need more than their players to get at least a point out of this match.
Their fans will have to play a crucial role of cheering their men against the Spaniards for a full 90 minutes. On the other hand, the Blaugrana will need to settle in the game real fast, absorb the usual pressure from the hosts, and hit them with quick counter attacks if they want to gain at least a point from their trip to England.
Interestingly, Arsene Wenger’s men are now used to facing Barcelona in the last round of 16 of the Champions League. Their most famous victory against the La Liga giants was at the Emirates Stadium back in 2010, the same venue of Tuesday’s game. The hosts beat the visitors 2-1 thanks to goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin, to hand them the first and only win against Barcelona.
In the second leg at the Nou Camp, the hosts beat the visitors 3-1 courtesy of excellent goal from Lionel Messi, who scored a brace that night, and another from Xavi Hernandez. 
Team news
Arsenal FC
In a bid to prevent the possibility of soaking goals, the Gunners are expected to use the 4-2-3-1 system, something that will give them more power in the midfield. Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott are expected to be named in the starting line-up, with Olivier Giroud being the sole man upfront. Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla are unavailable for this epic encounter due to injury.
FC Barcelona
Barcelona are expected to play their usual 4-3-3 system, which gives Messi, Neymar and Suarez more freedom in their hunt for goals. At the heart of the midfield, Sergio Busquets will be in full command to tame the creative Mesut Ozil, who has been the chief mastermind of Arsenal’s goals this season particularly in the Premier League. As Busquets takes care of the central midfield, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, who is well known for his pin-point passes to the forwards, will take care of the left and right flanks respectively.
Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano could start at the back to provide cover for Claudio Bravo or Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the posts.
Which channel is broadcasting Arsenal vs Barcelona on TV or Online?
USA: Tune in to ESPN Deportes TV, Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Sports GO,ESPN Deportes Radio or WATCH ESPN at 14:45 EST to watch Arsenal vs Barcelona live from the Emirates Stadium.
Canada: On TSN5 at 14:45 EST.
UK: Watch the Champions League encounter on BBC Radio 5 Live, BT Sport Europe, BT Sport Live Streaming or BT Sport Ultra HD at 19:45 GMT.
Spain: Watch the Blaugrana vs the Gunners on Antena 3, TV3 at 20:45 CET.
For additional broadcast information for your specific location across the world, visit our live broadcast page.
*NOTE: Live broadcast data is subject to change
Quick facts
- There have been 2.5 goals in their last 7 matches between Arsenal and Barcelona in all competitions
- There have been over 2.5 goals in Arsenal’s last five games in the Champions League
- Barca have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven matches against Arsenal in all competitions
- Barca have not lost any of their last seven Champions League matches
- Barcelona have not lost any of their last 32 games in all competitions
- The Gunners have not reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the past six years
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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