Szczesny, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, A Song, Wilshere, Van Persie.

As most of you will remember, this was the team which won against Guardiola’s wonder team in 2011. But what has changed since then? Is there anything from this game which the current team could learn a from that night’s spectacular performance?

Manning the barricades

Four years on and our defence has moved on a long way since the days of Eboue and Djourou. A calmer and more experienced outfit, the current defence has learnt how to man the barricades and win with their backs against the wall.

But if our defence falters at any stage, I have full confidence in Petr Cech. Man of the Match against Bayern Munich, he kept us in the game by dealing with everything that came his way. We’ll need him to give us the same protection against Barcelona.

The waiting game

Any joy we have against this Barcelona side will come on the counter attack. Barcelona, on account of their attack minded style, will always leave gaps in their defence – especially on the flanks. Hopefully, with the vision of Mesut Ozil and the explosive pace of Theo Walcott, we’ll be able to exploit the gaps.

One concern Arsene Wenger and the fans might have entering the game will be that defensive midfielder role. Barcelona’s intricate passing will have to be nullified in that game; they will have to be pressed and matched physically every step of the way by our midfield anchor.

Unless Aaron Ramsey commits wholeheartedly to holding alongside him, Mathieu Flamini could be lost in a game of such magnitude. A useful player against the likes Aston Villa, Flamini could finally be put out to pasture by Andres Iniesta and co.

Pressure Valve

After an incredible week for Olivier Giroud, it could be said that the Frenchman is in top gear. In the right frame of mind, the Frenchman could pose a real problem for this Barcelona side.

Acting as our team’s pressure valve, he might prove an easy way out of defence against a side renowned for pressing teams high up the pitch.

Predicted Star

Alexis Sanchez plays every game as if it were his last. This time around, he has an extra incentive to produce. Playing his former employers, the Chilean might be keen to show Barcelona exactly what they’ve been missing out on.

The Opposition

Neymar, Suarez and Messi will take some stopping on the 23rd of February. Having scored 36 goals in the league already, they seem to be continuing last year’s startling form.

And up until last week, Barcelona had seemingly painted over the cracks left after Athletic Bilbao’s convincing victory over them in the Supercopa. But against Deportivo La Coruna, a few of the old defensive frailties were visible once more.



What we need to learn from the team of 2011?

We need to go onto the pitch without any fear. In that 2011 performance they enjoyed themselves; playing like a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Pay Barcelona the respect they deserve; defend as one and attack as a team – just as Bilbao did in August – and the game is there for the taking at the Emirates.

In 2006, we paved our way to Paris as underdogs – so why not in again in 2016?