Last year Arsenal were taught a lesson by Lionel Messi as he scored all four of Barca’s goals in a 4-1 win for the home side. The Catalan giants will be looking towards the Argentinean magician to help overturn the 2-1 advantage Arsenal take to Spain as the Gunners prepare to batten down the hatches for the inevitable storm. We take a look at whether Arsenal can survive to keep their Champions League dream alive and which team might be going through from Shakhtar Donestk and Roma in Tuesday’s other last-16 clash.

Last year’s last-16 tie with Barcelona was a reality check for Arsenal fans who might have considered their team to have been on a par with the Spaniards. As it was the Gunners looked a long way off being anywhere near good enough to get the better of Barcelona and some feared it would be a case of déjà vu when the two went head-to-head this year.

However, Arsenal were magnificent at Emirates Stadium three weeks ago and while they rode their luck at times the Gunners deserved their 2-1 win. The victory broke the record of having never beaten Barcelona in European competition and went someway to ease the pain of last year’s defeat. They must now finish the job at Camp Nou. The Gunners are 7/1 to beat Barcelona in 90 minutes, while the home side are 2/7 and the draw is available at 9/2.

Even the most optimistic Arsenal fans will think that a win is probably beyond them given their current injury problems. In the three weeks since the two teams last played Arsenal have lost Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Alex Song to injury. Cesc Fabregas’ participation is touch and go, although manager Arsene Wenger is confident the Spaniard will play against the club who are desperate to sign him. Wenger has also hinted he will make changes to the team in order to have some fresh legs involved so expect a few surprise selections.

Barcelona have a few concerns of their own with first choice central defenders Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique absent, although with Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, David Villa, Messi and Pedro all fit that might be little consolation. Those who have watched Barcelona recently will know they aren’t at their flowing best but it just takes one or two great performances from those names previously mentioned and Arsenal could be out of Europe again.

The safest bet of the night looks to be for both teams to score at 8/11 given their respective attacking talents and lack of defensive skills. Arsenal will concede at some point and as such will have to score themselves to avoid going out on the away goals rule. With that in mind over 2.5 goals at 2/5 is probably going to be another safe bet based on the last three meetings.

Given Arsenal’s injury problems and their defensive naivety you fear another thrashing could be on the cards. However, a bit of luck and another performance like the one they produced in the first leg could give Wenger one of his greatest nights in charge of the Gunners.

Elsewhere in the Champions League, Roma head to Ukraine looking to become the first team in years to beat Shakhtar Donestk at home.  Having lost the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico 3-2 caretaker manager Vincenzo Mentella looks to have a huge job on his hands to keep the Italians European dream alive. For those who aren’t interested in matters at the Nou Camp or fancy a double Shakhtar are 10/11 to win at home, which doesn’t seem a bad price when you consider they are unbeaten in 11 matches at the Donbass Arena.

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