Arsene Wenger urges Arsenal to improve in front of goal ahead of Barcelona clash

Striking struggles: Giroud has been among several Arsenal players to spurn opportunities in recent games
Julian Finney/Getty Images
James Benge20 February 2016

Arsene Wenger has warned Arsenal that they cannot afford to repeat their recent profligacy if they are to upset the odds against Barcelona on Tuesday.

Arsenal’s last two matches, a league victory over Leicester and a goalless draw with Hull in the FA Cup, have seen Wenger’s men register 48 shots at goal for a return of just two goals.

Whilst the Gunners have come up against two goalkeepers in inspired form, Kasper Schmiechel and Eldin Jakupovic, they may well struggle to reach double figures in their shot column when the Champions League title holders arrive at the Emirates on Tuesday.

Barcelona’s front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar fired their side to a 13th win in 15 games on Saturday, 2-1 over Las Palmas, and Wenger has no doubt that Arsenal will need to be at their best to overcome the favourites.

He said: “We were the favourites today but we won’t be on Tuesday night.

“On Tuesday night, we’ll need great solidarity because we’ll need to defend well, and make the maximum of our possession, which we didn’t do today.”

Wenger made nine changes from the side that had defeated Leicester in dramatic circumstances on Sunday, offering the likes of Alex Iwobi, Mohamed Elneny and David Ospina rare starts this season.

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Though his selection didn’t pay off in a 0-0 draw Wenger denied that he had made his decision with one eye on Tuesday’s game.

“I played a team that, in my opinion, had the quality to win the game today,” he added. “The Barcelona game was not in my mind today.

“I rested Ramsey and Ozil completely, because they’ve played many games since the start of the season. When I can do it, I do it.”

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