Barcelona vs. Arsenal: Arsene Wenger's Key Comments from Pre-Match Presser

Arsene Wenger said he is more motivated than ever as Arsenal manager and indicated his side will attack from the first whistle in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona.

The Gunners need to overturn a 2-0 deficit if they're to advance from the round of 16, and Wenger admitted that he continues to feel the pressure of moving the club forward after almost 20 years in the job, per the Guardian's Sid Lowe:

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I built the club and I did it with hard work. I had no external resources. If you compare the club when I arrived and how it is today it is moved forward, and without any help from anybody. I am more motivated than the day I arrived and I feel even more the pressure [than before] and the responsibility to keep this club moving forward.

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Speaking to the media on Tuesday ahead of Arsenal's second leg, the Frenchman also suggested the Camp Nou clash will be treated as an all-or-nothing affair, per the Daily Mirror's Jacob Murtagh: "We are in a position where we don’t have to calculate too much. We know we have to attack and score goals. We have gone through a disappointing spell and it is important to remain calm and strong.”

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

The Arsenal chief is evidently expecting a stern test in Catalonia, however, as he referred to the opposition—presumably the forward trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar—as "magicians." As he put it: "The magicians from Barcelona will demand a good defensive performance from our side. Our approach was not bad in the first leg but we lost our balance and got caught."

It was a 13-minute brace from Messi that proved to be Arsenal's undoing in the reverse fixture in February, when the Gunners managed to keep the match scoreless until the Argentinian's 71st-minute breakthrough.

However, Wenger's focus was on another star on Tuesday, as he singled out Camp Nou veteran Andres Iniesta for special praise, per the club's official Twitter account:

Arsenal have never won at the Camp Nou in four attempts, having drawn 1-1 in their first trip to face Barcelona back in 1999 before losing in their last three visits.

It also doesn't help the north Londoners' case that they've managed to claim just one win from their last seven outings across all competitions, and Wenger spoke ominously in hoping for a maiden win at Barca: “We have won everywhere in Europe, but not here yet. The players are united to give a strong performance.”

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

The Gunners' hopes of advancing in the Champions League look slim to none, two goals down from the first leg and travelling to face the reigning champions, Europe's in-form team at present.

Closer to home, Arsenal remain 11 points off Premier League leaders Leicester City with nine games remaining in their season. Per James Olley of the London Evening Standard, Wenger hinted the club's chances of league silverware are better than some might think:

Arsenal will be without defender Calum Chambers for the trip to Barcelona as the manager confirmed Laurent Koscielny has taken his place in the squad and is hoping to make his first appearance in three weeks.

All the signs suggest Arsenal's Champions League run will come to its end against the "magicians" of Barcelona, but Wenger remains defiant in the face of a daunting task in the hopes of sealing what would be a historic win.