For much of the season, Barcelona has been looking like one of the best clubs in Europe. The team holds a comfortable lead in La Liga play, and they are trying to carry the momentum into the Champions League. Barcelona won the first leg of their Round of 16 match against Arsenal 2-0. Despite the recent struggles of the Gunners, Barcelona is making it clear that they are not overlooking Arsenal in their Wednesday match.
Barcelona might be going into a home match with a two-goal lead while riding a 37-match win streak, but they are being cautious in the match against Arsenal. The Gunners are struggling this season. They are all-but out of the Premier League title race while getting knocked out of the FA Cup. With much of their season resting on Champions League play, manager Luis Enrique is making sure that Barcelona is not overconfident.
"We have done the first part of the job, we must do the second," Enrique said. "I don't have any doubt that the players will not [be over confident]. They are capable [of a comeback] for sure. For their potential as club, and for the players they have. This is not a game to relax in. It is a very good result, but if you concede first, the doubts can arrive. We want to try and get ahead on the scoreboard. We are aware we need to play a good game to get through this tie."
Barcelona is looking stronger than ever. Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez continue to dominate on the frontline. The club is fresh off a 6-0 route against Getafe in La Liga play. While Suarez sat for rest, Neymar and Messi led the way, showing very few weaknesses. If Barcelona is going to get past Arsenal, they must keep up the scoring momentum from those three, as Enrique likes the confidence that his team is displaying at this point in the year.
"It's a very good situation," Enrique said. "We have almost all the squad available and in top shape to perform...This is a unique team, different from the others. They do things so easily it seems the opponent cannot do."
While Barcelona continues to thrive, Arsenal is trying to save their season while Arsene Wenger is trying to keep his job. Wenger is on the hot seat after the club was knocked out of the FA Cup. They are in third in the Premier League standings, but with Leicester City holding such a large lead, the Gunners stand a small chance at making a run. Beating Arsenal will certainly help Wenger's case to remain manager. Wenger stressed that he is very motivated heading into this match.
"And I'm even more motivated than the first day I arrived," Wenger said. "And I feel more the pressure and the responsibility to keep this club moving forward. But when you're a long time somewhere, you're always questioned about duration. I personally don't question my dedication, it's absolutely 100 percent. And I think I give more time to my club now than when I arrived."
