Arsenal v Barcelona: Cesc Fabregas tells team-mates to play with 'no fear' against 'best team in the world'

Fabregas acknowledged that Arsène Wenger’s side had a “big task” ahead of them if they are to reach the quarter-finals. Given the 23-year-old Spaniard’s strong links to Barca, who tried to acquire him during the summer, and the noises being made in the run-up to this tie about a possible deal later this year, Fabregas’s words will resonate for both clubs.

“Our objective is now to think about Barcelona,” the Arsenal captain said after Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Wolves.

“We know they are the best team in the world and it is a big task for us. We will do our best. We have a young team but one with a lot of quality and energy. We are very motivated.”

Wenger will hope that last season’s chastening quarter-final defeat — 6-3 on aggregate with Lionel Messi destroying Arsenal in the second leg at the Nou Camp by scoring four times — will serve as motivation for his team.

“It is difficult to learn,” said Fabregas when asked what lessons could be taken from that humbling second-leg defeat in Spain, which he missed through injury. “They are such a good team that, even if you know everything, they have so many quality players that can make the difference.”

However, he added: “We don’t have to worry too much about them. We have to play with no fear. Last season in the first half [of the first leg] we respected them too much. We just have to play our game.”

Arsenal recovered from an early 2-0 deficit to draw the first leg 2-2 at the Emirates, with Fabregas scoring a penalty. However, the captain, Robin van Persie, Alex Song and William Gallas all missed the second match.

The only doubt this week for Arsenal is Samir Nasri, while Wenger has singled out the emergence of Jack Wilshere, in particular, as proof that his team are “in better shape” than last year.

Nevertheless Wilshere said it was important that Arsenal adapted to their opponents. “We’ve got to change our game a bit to play against Barcelona,” the 19 year-old said. “We’ll learn from last year, we need to get in their faces and win the ball back, and if you like be a bit nasty with them. And when we’ve got the ball we have to keep it.

“Barcelona were great last year, especially in the first half at the Emirates. That’s the game that we want to play, and they played us at our own game and they were brilliant.

“I watch Barcelona playing in La Liga and I watch Xavi and Iniesta just run games. That’s what I want to learn from and do myself. Barcelona are definitely my favourite other team to watch. They play like Arsenal and try to keep the ball, like we try to do.

“Maybe the fans get frustrated with all the talk about Barcelona and Cesc. But the players don’t think about it because we see Cesc every week and he’s focused on Arsenal at the moment. He’s doing the business for Arsenal, so that’s all we can ask for.”

Of course Barcelona have also improved dramatically since last season and have, on average, enjoyed an astonishing 70 per cent of possession in Champions League matches this campaign. On Saturday, however, they drew 1-1 away to Sporting Gijon despite fielding a virtually full-strength side. It ended a record run of 16 consecutive league wins.

Of his side’s Spanish opponents, Wenger said: “We have matured, we can certainly compete technically better with them. We are in a better shape this time and since [last season] we have also produced some English players like Wilshere who can play.

“If we can get out of that pressure then I think we can be dangerous, so for us we have to think about what we do and how we do it.”

That would suggest that Arsenal will attack Barca, pressing high up the field, which will make for an even more thrilling prospect in the tie of the round.

Barcelona watch

How are they doing?
The good news for Arsenal is that Pep Guardiola’s side endured a 1-1 draw at lowly Sporting Gijon on Saturday night, rescuing a point only thanks to David Villa’s strike. The bad news is that Barca won their previous 16 La Liga games – a record – sit clear of Real Madrid in the table, boast the world’s best player, the core of the Spain team who lifted the World Cup in July and are emerging not simply as the best side in Europe but one of the best in history.

Who’s scoring the goals?
Pedro, Villa, Andres Iniesta, Xavi– and most of all Lionel Messi, with 24 goals in 20 La Liga games. Arsenal must do as they failed to do last year and stop the Argentine if they are to have any hope of beating Barcelona.

What are their weaknesses?
Few and far between. Guardiola’s intense pressing game provides his defence with an abundance of cover, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique form an obdurate partnership in the centre of defence and Daniel Alves remains one of the world’s best right-backs. Even Victor Valdes, the much-maligned goalkeeper, has improved considerably.
Rory Smith