Ibrahimovic Injured For Barcelona: Which Lineup Should Wenger Deploy?

Los blaugrana announced today that Zlatan Ibrahimovic - their towering two goal-scorer from Wednesday's quarterfinal first leg at the Emirates - will miss the return leg at the Camp Nou.

Before rushing to pat the beleaguered Alex Song on the back and heave a sigh of relief, however, Arsenal fans should remember that the explosive youngster, Bojan Krkic, who will presumably fill Ibrahimovic's role in the center of the Barcelona front line, has scored four times in his last three appearances (of which he started only one match).

With this only the latest rotation of the carousel that is this bizarrely uncertain tie, dizzy supporters of both clubs may be forgiven for scratching their heads and wondering who actually remains both healthy and off the suspension list ahead of Tuesday's match.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will need to consider several factors when choosing his starters and filling his bench.

Wenger's natural loyalty toward his players is one of his best qualities as a manager, and one of the reasons his players are, for the most part, so loyal to him. He cannot be faulted, therefore, for his tendency to stick to his guns (or Gunners), and show faith in 'his' players.

In this match, however, such a conservative decision may prove fatal to Arsenal's Champion's League campaign. A shakeup is needed.

Though not a prediction of Wenger's actual starters for reasons just stated, the following is a recommended lineup determined by assessing Arsenal's keys to the game.

Recommendation

One of Arsenal's greatest strengths is its versatility.

When healthy, Arsenal have the personnel to play their trademark style while tailoring their squad to exploit opponents' weaknesses. Even as under-manned as they are, Arsenal possess the talent to challenge title holders Barcelona if they play the right way. This is, front-to-back, the lineup that would be best equipped to undertake that task:

Rosicky - Bendtner -Walcott

Denilson - Nasri - Eboue

Clichy - Vermaelen - Song - Sagna

This should be augmented by a bench of

Fabianski, Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre, Abou Diaby, Fran Merida, Eduardo, and the speedy Carlos Vela.

Defense

Thomas Vermaelen played well as the rock of Arsenal's patchwork defense, though the lack of consistency all around him led to some inevitable lapses in communication.

Sol Campbell played all of Saturday's match against Wolves, which did not call for a particularly strenuous performance. However, with only 2 1/2 days to recover before Tuesday evening, Arsene Wenger may choose to start the younger, faster Alex Song - who was taken off before full time on Saturday - at center back. He is experienced at the position and won't be caught ball-watching any time soon.

Strong tackler Bacary Sagna, in keeping with what has been sadly rather an uneven season, underwhelmed in the first leg at the Emirates. From the beginning of the match, the Frenchman was uncomfortable on the ball, struggled in his marking assignments, and unlike Gael Clichy, who improved markedly over his first half performance, did not improve in the second period.

The versatile and tenacious Emmanuel Eboue, who came on for the injured Andrei Arshavin in the first half, played well once he shifted back to right back. More importantly, he seemed comfortable on the ball and contributed to Arsenal's resurgent second half attack.

In a game where wing speed and ball control will be crucial for an Arsenal side looking to solve Barcelona's stifling full-field defense and create positive possession in the middle of the park, Eboue should start this game either at right back or on the right side of the midfield.

It would be a positive offensive contribution and an interesting strategic decision, but Wenger is doubtful to start Eboue instead of the under-performing Sagna, with his roster already stretched to the limit by injuries.

Midfield and Offense

The key to whether the match at the Camp Nou will greater resemble the first 62 minutes of Wednesday's clash or it's inspiring final twenty minutes, will be Arsenal's ability (or inability) to respond to Barça's pressure and forcefully contest the middle third of the field.

Arsenal made the strategic error in the first leg of conceding the midfield and hoping to stifle the Barcelona attack by crowding Lio Messi out of the game. Barcelona not only showed that they could work their offense through other corridors, but that if Arsenal gave up so much of the field, they would gladly occupy the territory and make hell for any Arsenal player who tried to advance five yards with the ball.

To have a chance at the away upset, Arsenal need to possess the ball, contest the midfield, and use their significant advantage in speed - in short, they need to play Arsenal football and not be awestruck by the opponent and the occasion.

To do this, the Gunners need to start a midfield and attacking combination that is comfortable on the ball and capable of beating Barcelona on the outside when their left and right backs push forward.

Nicklas Bendtner is not the fastest player in the world, he doesn't possess the finest ball skills, nor is he particularly good at taking on defensemen in one-on-one scenarios.

He is, however, a rock in the center of the front line and has begun to show a remarkable proclivity for being in the right place at the right time - exactly what the best strikers in the Drogba-van Nistelrooy mould (somehow) do. He should be complemented by players who possess the speed and skill to beat Barcelona's fullbacks to the touch line and feed the leaping Dane's forehead when they get there.

Tomas Rosicky is not fast, but his energy, precise touch, and strong passing skills will make him dangerous.

Theo Walcott, though he struggled to create his own opportunities against Wolves, showed on Wednesday that he can breakdown and generally terrorize the left side of the Barcelona defense. His ability to beat Barça defenders should enable him to create dangerous chances for Bendtner and other on-rushing Gunners. The speedy Englishman should start on Tuesday and immediately assume an aggressive, challenging posture.

Abou Diaby should not start. Whether Song plays in the midfield or at center back, the solid and physically dominant Diaby does not possess the right set of skills for taking on the fast and highly technical Catalan wonder squad.

Unlike Diaby, Denilson, when he came on for the injured William Gallas, passed the ball well, kept his cool in possession, and even - as something of a novelty - tackled firmly and kept his marking assignments. A match-up against Barça seems like the ideal scenario for deploying the silky smooth, offensive-minded Brazilian.

Samir Nasri, while no Fabregas, should perform admirably in his assumed role as midfield maestro. The center of the field is where Nasri is most comfortable, though he is improving as a wing player, and his speed and distribution ability should make the Arsenal attack more unpredictable, and ultimately more effective.

Conclusion

This lineup is based on one assessment of the strategic requirements of the contest. It would be interesting to see how others believe the Gunners should line up, and why.