Champions League 
/ Tobias Gourlay / 15 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Can greased lightning strike twice? Theo Walcott will worry Barcelona's defence again.
"Barca don't handle pace as well as they do every other aspect of their beautiful game"
Arsenal and Barcelona should produce another enthralling match at the Emirates on Wednesday, says Tobias Gourlay.
Arsenal have been in the Champions League quarter finals three seasons in a row. To make it four, they must beat Barcelona. Surprisingly, Samir Nasri is available to Arsene Wenger, who must do without Bacary Sagna and Abou Diaby.
The Spanish champions are without their captain, Carles Puyol, but should otherwise be at full strength, which means the Gunners must cope with their MVP front three. Leo Messi, David Villa and Pedro have already scored more than 50 goals in La Liga this season.
Match Odds
A year ago, these two drew a quarter-final first leg 2-2. Barca gave a masterclass, went 2-0 up, then knocked off early. It was as close as Arsenal have come to losing at home in Europe for a while. No team from outside England has beaten them in 27 Champions League games at the Emirates. This season, they won 3/3 in the group stage.
Barcelona's win at Panathinaikos in the final round of the group stage was their first in six Champions League away games and only their second in 12. They don't often lose either - last season's famous defeat to Jose Mourinho's Inter is the only one under Pep Guardiola. Which means they must be drawing a lot. Nine in their last 12, to be precise. What price another one this week?
[3.95], since you ask.
Under / Over
There were nine goals in the 2010 tie. No wonder Over 2.5 Goals is a [1.69] shot for this match. Guardiola will ignore the fact it is a first leg and send his team out as usual. They will harry their hosts, demand possession of the ball and give them no time to settle. In doing so, they will give Arsenal's talented midfielders opportunities to counterattack. The expectation of goals appears well founded.
To Score
Theo Walcott scored the goal that gave Arsenal hope in this fixture 12 months ago. There are a couple of reasons to think he can do the same again: he's still quick; the Catalans still keep a very high defensive line. Barca don't handle pace as well as they do every other aspect of their beautiful game and the English flyer might be the home side's most potent attacking threat. Despite an injury, Walcott has scored a career-best 10 goals already this season.
At the other end, there is value in backing the third prong of Barca's attacking trident. Pedro has scored in 10 of his 12 Liga and Champions League starts since mid November. Like Walcott, his pace will help him against defenders who will play high up the pitch. And one of those defenders might be Sebastien Squillaci, who was a part of Sevilla teams that conceded 10 goals in three defeats to Barca during his time in Spain.
Best Bet: Back Theo Walcott To Score at [6.0]
Recommended Bet: Back Pedro To Score at [4.0]
You can now follow Tobias on Twitter: @tobiasgourlay
Spurs are in pole position to make the last eight of the Champions League while Schalke and Valencia drew in Spain......
Arsenal and Barcelona should produce another enthralling match at the Emirates on Wednesday, says Tobias Gourlay....
This was a cracking match when these two played last year in the very same competition and we could have another really good game this time round. How are the teams likely to line up, where will the game be...
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