CESC FABREGAS insists Arsenal must show Barcelona no fear in Wednesday’s Champions League showdown. Lionel Messi and his Nou Camp pals have lost just twice all season and are rated by many as the best side in the world.
But Gunners skipper Fabregas, 23, said: “We don’t have to worry too much about them – we just have to play with no fear and play our game. “We respected them too much last season, in the first half especially.
“We know they are the best team in the world and it is a big task for us. We have a young team but one with a lot of quality and energy.” Barca bundled Arsenal out of Europe 6-3 on aggregate in last season’s quarter-finals.
The first leg finished 2-2 at the Emirates after Barca went two-up only to be pegged back by an heroic Gunners comeback. Arsenal’s 4-1 second-leg thrashing at the Nou Camp, where Messi hit a spectacular hat-trick, was a harsh lesson.
But it was the opening 45 minutes of the first leg that set the tone for the tie as Arsenal sat back while Barca turned on the style.
Fabregas insisted: “It is difficult to learn from last year. “They are such a good team. Even if you know everything, they have so many quality players that can make the difference.” One big difference for Arsenal this season will be Fabregas is fully fit.
He played despite injury in the first leg against Barca last year, then suffered a broken leg which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
This time he is set to line up alongside whizkid Jack Wilshere in midfield. And the 19-year-old England starlet shows no signs of being daunted by the challenge. Wilshere said: “We’ve got to change our game a bit against Barca – we need to get in their faces and, if you like, be a bit nasty with them and get the ball back.
“And when we’ve got the ball we have to keep it – keep it as well as they do. “Barcelona were great last year, especially in the first half at the Emirates. That’s the game we want to play – they played us at our own game.
“I watch Barcelona playing in La Liga where Xavi and Andres Iniesta just run the games. That’s what I want to learn and do myself.”
One side issue to Wednesday’s last-16 clash is speculation that Barcelona will make fresh attempts to lure Fabregas to the Nou Camp this summer.
But Wilshere insisted: “Maybe the fans get frustrated with all the talk about Barcelona and Cesc. But the players don’t think about it. “Cesc is focused on Arsenal. He’s doing the business for Arsenal, and that’s all we can ask.”
Source: The Sun