Wenger knows his side must start quickly 

Having lost the first leg clash against Barcelona 2-0 at home three weeks ago, Arsenal certainly have a mountain to climb if they're to progress into this year's Champions League quarter-finals - something they haven't done since the 2009/10 campaign. 

Addressing the media in his pre-match press conference, manager Arséne Wenger acknowledged the fact that his side need to start on the front foot and take their chances in-front of goal if they're to have much chance of winning - and comfortably - against a fearless Barça side at the Camp Nou

Gunners under pressure, with season fast approaching its climax

Following their frustrating 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of Quique Sánchez Flores' plucky Watford team on Sunday, the Gunners know their chances of winning silverware is reducing rapidly as the season draws to a close with many supporters voicing their discontent, especially considering the promise that Arsenal showed in the early months of the campaign. 

Lionel Messi (pictured, centre) scored a well-taken brace late on to give the visitors a comfortable aggregate advantage. | Photo: Getty
Lionel Messi (pictured, centre) scored a well-taken brace late on to give the visitors a comfortable aggregate advantage. | Photo: Getty

As quoted by the club's official website, Wenger said that the team are in a position where they need to score "two or three goals", which consequently "demands a very [clear charge]" from the offset in Spain.

He also admitted the fact that collectively as a team, they know the importance of them being able to "attack and take the game to them", especially because their approach in the first leg "was not so bad", but they "lost balance" after half-time and conceded twice in quick succession toward the final whistle. 

"We got caught on the counter-attack at a moment where we looked to be on top of the game, so we are in a position where I don't think we have to think too much." 

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About the author
Mosope Ominiyi
Writer and editor - European football analyst, youth enthusiast. Email: [email protected]