Arsenal Vs. Barcelona: 2011 Champions League Predictions & TV Time

The 2011 Champions League R16 match-up between Arsenal and Barcelona is set for February 16 (first leg) and March 8 (return leg) at 20:45 GMT in the UK or 2:45 PM EST in the United States. FOX Soccer Channel (FSC) will provide U.S. TV coverage for this game. Arsenal earns a spot in the knockout stage by finishing second in Group H; Barcelona is the winner of Group D, going undefeated. This article offers TV time and predictions for the 2011 Champions League Round of 16 match-up between Arsenal and Barcelona.

1) Arsenal-Barcelona Head to Head

The 2011 Champions League R16 contest will feature two of Europe's most successful football clubs in Arsenal and Barcelona. Despite their long-standing involvement in European soccer, the two teams have only met 6 times with Barcelona enjoying a perfect 4-0-2 record. The last time Arsenal and Barcelona meet was the second leg of their 2010 Champions League knockout contest; the latter won the game 4-2. Barcelona seems to have a definite edge over its fellow European powerhouse.

2) Cesc Fàbregas vs. Lionel Messi

The highly anticipated match-up pits two superstars (in Fàbregas and Messi) against one another. The two players share contrasting styles. Like many great Spanish players, Fabregas is excellent at holding the ball and controlling the tempo of the game. The Arsenal captain is also an excellent passer who possesses great vision. Messi, on the other hand, is a menace with or without the ball. The Argentine star is a wonderful dribbler, who is capable of scoring goals from anywhere. Messi's mere presence often opens up the field for his teammates, allowing them to make things happen.

3) Arsenal vs. Barcelona Preview

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Without a doubt, the match-up between Arsenal and Barcelona is the most interesting one among the eight knockout-round contests. Not only these two teams have great football pedigree, their players are also the Who's Who of world soccer. Additionally, Arsenal and Barcelona are two of Europe's most popular and supported clubs. Match-ups like this typically generate memorable contests. The team that emerges victorious in the first leg has a good chance of moving on the next round.

Arsenal enters the first leg of the 2011 Champions League Round of 16 contest in a bit of disarray. The Gunners recently had to settle for a draw against fellow EPL member Newcastle, after having gone ahead 4-0. The colossal collapse was heavily criticized in the British press, and has become a huge distraction for the team. The one silver lining is the fact that Arsenal is still very much in the hunt for an EPL title; the team is only 4 points behind league leader Manchester United. The Gunners have not fared as well in the Champions League, however. Arsenal finishes second in the weakest group of the preliminary round, suffering defeats to teams like Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk. Arsene Wenger's team will have to improve drastically, if it is to have any chance against Messi and company.

While Arsenal has struggled recently, Barcelona has been on a great roll. Pep Guardiola's crew suffers only one loss in their last 30 games. Barcelona has been terrific in the Champions League as well, easily winning its group without dropping a game. The biggest factor behind Barcelona's great success has been the strong play of Lionel Messi. The Argentine has amassed 24 goals and 14 assists in just 19 La Liga contests this season. Barcelona's fantastic form, coupled with the team's historic dominance over Arsenal, makes the Spanish champion a big favorite to advance to the quarterfinal.

My prediction for the 2011 Champions League Round of 16 contest between Arsenal and Barcelona: Messi and company win by the aggregate score of 3-2. The two games will be broadcast in the U.S. by FOX Soccer Channel (FSC).

References:
Arsenal-Mania, FoxSoccer.Com