Gunning or Being Gunned Down?

By Haider Ali

Round of 16 of CL is around the corner and there is much talk about going who is going to win the Game of the Tournament so far. Yes a game between two former CL winners. Arsenal vs Barcelona, truly a clash of the titans. Both the teams have a history between them.

It all started in 1999 when these two teams met. In that year Barcelona defeated Arsenal in a two game leg. First drawing at home 1-1 and beating Arsenal in their away game.

In 2006 when they met in the final of the Champions league. It was the pinnacle of the rivalry between the two teams. Arsenal ending up on the losing side by two goals to one. Samuel Eto’ and Belletti scoring for Barca whereas Sol Campbell scored for Arsenal.

These teams met again 3 years later but this time in Quarter Final of the CL. Arsenal losing the away game 4-1 whereas made a fantastic comeback in the home game, coming from 2 goals behind and ending up the game in a draw.

They will again face off on 16 Feb 2011 and this time it is the knockout round of 16.

Barcelona and Arsenal both have been really strong at home but away they have faced difficulties. Arsenal have played total of 36 games this season whereas Barcelona have played 33 games this season.

At home Barcelona have been relentless in all the competitions. Out of the 33 games they have played they won 25 of them, 5 ending in a draw and they only lost 3. They have a win percentage of 75.8%. Whereas, Arsenal have played 36 games and won 22 of them and lost 8 and only 6 ending up in a draw. They have  a win percentage of 61.1 %.

But the interesting to note is that both the teams have won 4 games out of the 6 UEFA CL games. And both have been unbeaten in their home games. However, Barcelona have won one and draw two away from home where Arsenal have been gunned down twice away from home.

This fact makes the encounter very interesting. Both teams have class players, capable of winning you games. So what will be the result of this encounter?

In the league, for Barcelona it has been a one way show. They have a 100% record away from home. Although they have not been very strong at Camp Nou. They have 82% record at home only fourth best in the league. They have best away record in the league.

Whereas, gunners have played 23 games in the league and they happen to be the best team away from home having a win percentage of 58% , though best, but is far less from the win percentage of Barcelona.

Barcelona have only lost at home where Arsenal have lost most of their games at home. One might tip Barcelona to win the game but it is very much even.

Since Arsenal will be playing first leg home so they must be very cautious. In last two fixtures between these two teams at Gunners home have ended up in a draw. Both happened to be the first leg matches however it the second legs Blaugrana have been ruthless. They will not be giving Arsenal any chance. So Arsenal’s hope lies with doing good at home but Barcelona is a hard team to break down they have yet to suffer a defeat in CL this season.

Whereas, Gunners have lost twice out their three games they played away from home.

Stats clearly favor Barcelona to win this. But Arsenal will give them a tough competition. Arsenal might turn out to be a wall of steal or they might end up being a sand wall that’s what kind of team Arsenal is.

It will be hard to take down Barcelona.

But in the end it will be Arsenal GUNNED DOWN! But again, that's just an opinion...

Golden Goose Prediction:

Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona

Barcelona 3-0 Arsenal

Barcelona to win 3-1 on aggregate.