Updated 21:05, 18 Mar 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nLamine Yamal and co could be waiting for Arsenal in the semi-finals, if both teams get that far(Image: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Arsenal’s path to the Champions League looks set to be blocked by Barcelona, 20 years after the final defeat in Paris. Mikel Arteta’s side comfortably saw off Bayer Leverkusen to move into the last-eight of Europe’s elite competition.<\/p>\n
Sporting will be next for the Premier League leaders, and having been knocked out of the 2023 Europa League quarter-finals by the Portuguese heavyweights, Arteta will not be underestimating them.<\/p>\n
However, after Barcelona destroyed Newcastle United in the second-leg of their clash at the Camp Nou, Arsenal fans will inevitably be looking ahead to a potential semi-final with Hansi Flick’s side.<\/p>\n
Nothing is certain, especially in the Champions League. Nevertheless, with the knockout stages following bookies’ predictions, Arsenal and Barcelona will expect to face each other in the last four in what would be a seismic tie at an emotional time.<\/p>\n
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong> <\/strong>Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Gunners fans around at the time will never forget the heartbreak of the 2006 final, which saw the Catalans beat Arsene Wenger, Thierry Henry and co 2-1 in the French capital.<\/p>\n
Arsenal have not been in the final of Europe’s biggest match since, and what better way to book their place in Budapest than beating the very team who overcame them so painfully two decades previously.<\/p>\n
Here are three lessons Arteta and his Arsenal players can take from Barcelona’s destruction of Newcastle United.<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s sudden surges<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n
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\nBarcelona will look to immediately put Arsenal away if they find the net against Arteta’s side(Image: 2026 DeFodi Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
At half time, Newcastle were still in the tie. Yamal’s penalty on the stroke of half-time, after Kieran Trippier hauled down Raphinha at the back post, may have given Barcelona a 3-2 lead, but the Magpies had already pegged them back twice. Flick sent his team out with menacing intent, and it did not take long before Newcastle were all but out.<\/p>\n
Fermin Lopez put Barcelona 4-2 ahead on the evening within six minutes of the second half, before Robert Lewandowski made it 5-2 just five minutes later. The Pole then scored his second in the 61st minute. Newcastle were outstanding in the first leg and were Barcelona’s equal in the opening 45 minutes at the Camp Nou, but 16 poor second-half minutes dumped them out of the competition.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the Magpies’ lingering anger about the second-half penalty, which required VAR to be given, was behind their lack of focus in the second period. As soon as Barcelona went two ahead after half-time, they continued their surges forward and finished off the tie in destructive fashion.<\/p>\n
Arsenal do have an emotional streak in them and if they do suffer a set-back, whether it’s inflicted by Barcelona or a controversial referee call, they cannot let their focus slip, otherwise Barcelona will pack their bags for them, just as they did for Newcastle.<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s man-to-man press<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n
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\nIt was a long night for Joelinton at the Nou Camp(Image: 2026 Anadolu)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
It was a long evening for Joelinton at the Camp Nou. Deployed in front of the Newcastle back-line with Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey flanking him, Barcelona targeted the Brazilian with their vicious man-to-man press.<\/p>\n
He has been a revelation since Eddie Howe converted him from a striker into a midfielder, but Barcelona never let him breathe. Arteta will look at Joelinton’s struggles and immediately think about Rice, whose ability to take the ball on the half-turn as opposing midfielders pressure him can leave more to be desired.<\/p>\n
The \u00a3104million man has been excellent for the Gunners, but Flick may instruct his players to get on top of the England international and punish any heavy touch or hesitation. With this in mind, Arteta could potentially instruct the more nimble Martin Zubimendi to be the one to receive those passes, while Rice runs beyond.<\/p>\n
He may even tell his defenders and David Raya to bypass the press with a direct pass up to Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli, with Rice and maybe Eberechi Eze pushing up to pick up any second ball.<\/p>\n
Barcelona are vulnerable<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\n
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\nFlick’s side are far from impenetrable(Image: 2026 Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
They are fast, they are slick, they are clinical, and they will punish any mistake, but Barcelona are not infallible. Anthony Elanga scored twice for the Magpies and could have had more. The Catalans deploy a frighteningly bold high-line, which can be beaten with a ball over or through the defence and a well-timed run.<\/p>\n
Viktor Gyokeres has had few opportunities to demonstrate his pace this year, but he will be licking his lips after what happened at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night. Do not be surprised if Arteta also opts to play Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing for the same reason.<\/p>\n
What is certain is that the first goal may be crucial. Barcelona picked Newcastle off as Howe’s side surged to get back into the contest. If Arsenal score first, Arteta can instruct his defensive machine to close up the gaps in behind.<\/p>\n
The football purists may hate the contest if Arsenal score first, but doing so would play into Arteta’s hands – if anybody knows this, it’s Flick himself.<\/p>\n
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Watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen on TNT Sports<\/p>\n
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Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where they face Bayer Leverkusen on March 17. Fans can watch the game on Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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