Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has declared that playing possession football will be key in Wednesday's mouthwatering UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Guardiola believes both sides will try to play to their strengths and insists that whichever side can dominate possession of the football will have the upper hand.
"They will play to their strengths and so will we, and we'll judge the result after as the return leg will decide the game. Scoring away is important to progress to the next round and we go with the intention of attacking in a controlled manner and to defend every ball in a very intense and aggressive way. They want the ball, we do too, it will be a key. The idea is to score goals, that's the objective," he told a press conference.
"It's an honor to come to this stadium to play against a mythical club, a very good opponent for many years who are an example of how to play good football. We will try to put on a good show for the people.
"They will be more careful and closer together, be supportive when they do not have the ball, they'll be vigilant and will go for the game."
The Catalan coach also stated that his counterpart Arsene Wenger is one of the world's greatest coaches, crediting the Frenchman with imposing a style on the Gunners that the whole world enjoys to watch.
"I think he [Wenger] will make every attempt to convince the players to put together a good performance and beat us. He's is one of the best coaches in the world, has won many titles and trophies and has changed the mentality of this club. Before he arrived here Arsenal was different. Now the whole world admires the style of Arsenal, and we are honoured to play against them and try to beat them," he noted.
Guardiola also warned that Arsenal have more in their armoury than Barcelona born Cesc Fabregas, pointing to their result against Porto in the previous round as proof of their potency.
"He [Fabregas] is just is very, very good, and I'd guess that the team is better with him but without him here they beat Porto 5-0, because they have very dynamic players in his position. Tomorrow I will know whether he plays or not, but if they say he won't, I won't take that because I do not believe it," he added.
"Since he was very young he's been brilliant at arriving into the area, he has a great character and it's normal that he has scored so many goals. He has many levels, he was half formed at our place and his formation finished here. He is very important to them, but they beat Porto without him too," he concluded.
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