Arsenal will be "practically dead" if Barcelona curb the influence
of Mesut Ozil in Tuesday's Champions League clash, according to Thierry
Henry.
Arsenal will be "practically dead" if Barcelona curb the influence of Mesut Ozil in Tuesday's Champions League clash, according to Thierry Henry.
The
Germany international has enjoyed an outstanding season for Arsene
Wenger's side and his absence was keenly felt on Saturday, when the
Gunners laboured to a 0-0 FA Cup draw against Hull City with Ozil
rested.
Wenger has confirmed Ozil will return for
the last-16 first-leg match with the holders at Emirates Stadium and
Henry, who enjoyed a glittering career with both clubs, believes the
former Real Madrid man is vital to Arsenal's hopes of an upset.
"Ozil
is incredible, he has a ton of assists," he told Barca's official
website. "He is playing very, very, very well, as he used to at Madrid.
After two very difficult seasons he's doing very well.
"If you can stop Ozil, Arsenal are practically dead."
Henry
has been impressed with Arsenal's ability to win ugly at times this
season and expects them to deploy the same system that saw them shock
Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich during the group stage, though he warned
they must take a positive result to Camp Nou for the return leg.
"I
think Arsenal will play as they did against Bayern Munich at home," he
said. "They will defend and try to score goals on the counter-attack.
It's not easy to play with the ball against Barca.
"They
fight a lot. In the past, Arsenal couldn't win a game if they didn't
play well. But this year, they are winning games without playing well
and sometimes without the ball, it happened against Bayern, against
Manchester City, against Manchester United.
"They
have to do something at home before coming to Camp Nou. When the crowd
is good, on a Champions League night, it's not easy to just defend for
90 minutes.
"It's not easy for my team, Arsenal,
but on the other hand I love Barca a lot. It's very difficult. It won't
be easy, but I'm going with Barca."
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