Arsenal vs Barcelona: Gunners 'must score every time they get in the box', says Thierry Henry

Former striker explains what Arsenal must do if they are to stand a chance against Barcelona on Tuesday 

Simon Rice
Sunday 21 February 2016 11:26 EST
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Thierry Henry has outlined what Arsenal must do if they are to stand any chance of beating Barcelona on Tuesday night.

The Gunners are the extreme underdogs for the Champions League Round of 16 tie against the Spanish champions, however Henry - who played for both teams during his career - says they stand a chance if they follow his instructions.

"They have to accept they will probably only have 30 per cent possession and must be so efficient when they do get the ball. The whole team must defend more as a unit and the wingers must tuck in and play more in their own half," Henry wrote in his column for the Sun.

"You very rarely get the chance to play against Barcelona so you must be prepared to sacrifice parts of your attacking game, home and away.

"Arsenal must be brave on the ball. They need to stay compact, play on the counter and score every time they get in their penalty area.

"They can’t be exposed in the middle and must force Barcelona to run back 60 yards before they get the ball. If you allow them to stay in your half for wave after wave, it becomes almost impossible to defend."

Barcelona knocked Arsenal out of the competition on the two previous occasions they met at the knock-out stage - first in 2009/10 and then the following year. Barcelona also beat Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final.

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