CL: How Can Arsenal Beat Barcelona at The Emirates?

Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world right now, serious contenders for the Premier League and one of the toughest competitors in the Champions League. 

In what was thought to be one of the most intriguing Champions League encounters, Arsenal was given a baptism of fire in the first 30 minutes during the first leg—a football lesson which later Pep Guardiola described as the best 45 minutes of his entire managing career. 

Upbeat Defense 

To beat Barcelona at their own game, first of all, Arsenal would have to let go their strategy of high line defending and offside traps.

Alex Song would have to be stationed and not create openings for Barcelona's high powered midfield to crack. Arsenal's Premier League opponents Chelsea have in the past successfully implied that strategy by staying deep, with the likes of Obi Mikel and Essien staying put and restricting Barcelona's supply in the midfield.

Jose Mourinho also replicated that tactic by keeping Cambiasso and Motta at par, just ahead of the back four. 

Quick Counters: Making it Count 

If Barcelona are to maintain their ruthless form, chances would be hard to come by. Barcelona's defensive form has been impressive this season, which has more to do with their refusal to give the ball away.  

Arsenal would have to take any opportunity that comes their way, and Samir Nasri and Van Persie would have to be at their very best.

Puyol and Pique like to press high up the pitch, and catching Barcelona on the counter seems the likely bet. Cesc would once again play a key role at the heart of Arsenal's midfield and his quick accurate passes could make the situation a little tricky for Barcelona. 

Theo Walcott has been impressive and with the kind of raw pace he has, he is likely to play his part as an impact player; whether he starts or comes off the bench we'll have to wait and watch. 

Sagna's suspension wouldn't make things easier. 

It's either Clichy or Eboue that would fill in. Both players like to drift forward, and the form Clichy is in right now, he is bound to make a mistake or two.

Managing Clichy would be a headache for Wenger. 

Do not man mark 

Finally, if Arsenal try to man mark Messi it would cost them the game.

Arsenal would have to restrict supplies in the midfield and block Messi's runs. Dani Alves, Iniesta and Xavi would be the main providers and if Arsenal can block passes and control the game from the half way line they would be able to restrict the Messi impact at the Emirates. 

Zonal marking would be an effective counter against Barcelona and given Barcelona's urge to surge forward chances would be created, how many of these chances Arsenal would utilize is another matter.