Asenal will have to come from two away goals down if they're to beat defending champions Barcelona and progress into the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday. Arsène Wenger's side delivered a spirited performance at the Emirates in the first leg, though their plucky defensive display was undermined by two Lionel Messi goals inside the game's final 20 minutes. They now need to pull off a massive upset if they're to avoid elimination.
Barcelona haven't lost to anyone since a trip to Sevilla in October, and haven't lost in front of their own fans in over a year. Not since they were thrashed 3-0 by Bayern Munich in May 2013 have they lost by more than a couple of goals at home. For an ailing Arsenal -- who are, as ever, dogged by injuries at this most critical stage of the season -- to pull off such a victory is, unfortunately for the Gunners, almost unthinkable.
Key player: Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal)
If Arsenal are to have any luck at all in this match, they'll need a big performance from former Barça man Sánchez. After a bright start to the season, the Chilean attacker has been almost entirely anonymous since the turn of the year. It's no coincidence that Arsenal's form has rather mirrored his own. At his very best, he's almost unplayable, and he's the only man that could give the Gunners any hope at all heading into this match.
Recent history
Arsenal have visited the Camp Nou twice in the last six editions of the Champions League, though didn't particularly enjoy either occasion. They were spanked 4-1 en route to a 6-3 aggregate defeat back in 2010 (with Messi rather incredibly netting four goals), before losing 3-1 (the Gunners' only goal being a Sergio Busquets own goal) on their way to a 4-3 defeat a season later. The omens are, alas, ominous.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Rafinha (knee); Sandro Ramírez (thigh); Gerard Piqué (suspended). in doubt: None.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Tomáš Rosický, Aaron Ramsey (thigh); Santi Cazorla (knee); Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (leg); Petr Čech (calf). In doubt: Laurent Koscielny (calf).
Barça's long-term absentee Rafinha is joined on the sidelines by injured youngster Sandro and suspended defender Piqué. Still, their woes are nowhere near as serious as Arsenal's, with the Gunners still missing several key players including goalkeeper Čech and midfielder Ramsey. Centre-back Koscielny faces a late fitness test.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 3:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: FOX Sports 1 (U.S. - English); FOX Deportes (U.S. - Spanish); TSN, RDS (Canada); BT Sport Europe (U.K.)
Online: FOX Sports GO, FOX Soccer 2GO (U.S.); BT Sport live streaming (U.K.)
