If you've read the pre-match hype you'd be forgiven for thinking Arsenal should just wave the white flag rather than go through the formalities of a Champions League mauling by Barcelona, being touted this week as the finest club side ever.
But here's the good news for Arsene Wenger. The Catalans, in the brilliant American phrase, still put their pants on one leg at a time - i.e. they're only human. And here are 10 ways Arsenal can prove it.
1) Break up attacks before they happen
Robin van Persie is in magnificent form in front of goal, but he must do much more than score for Arsenal. The Dutchman needs to harass Puyol and Pique before they can start off Barca’s pretty moves, then drop back to disrupt the centre of midfield too.
2) Get in their faces
Arsene Wenger is no Tony Pulis but as a student of football, the Professor must know that a no-let-up approach is one way to counteract the brilliance of Barca. So Arsenal, at least early on, must hustle the Catalans whenever they have possession, with Jack Wilshere and Alex Song needing to play the games of their lives against Xavi and Iniesta and stop them feeding overlapping full-backs. When Arsenal have the ball, forwards must run directly at their opponents to keep them on the back foot, rather than tip-tapping around them.
3) But keep your heads
Arsenal have picked up plenty of red cards recently that have undermined their own efforts. They'll struggle with 11, but 10 will be disastrous. Cesc Fabregas will also need to keep his emotions in check.
4) Wings and a prayer
Arsenal must not be scared to try the long pass, especially to the wings on the counter, when Dani Alves and Eric Abidal have been raiding upfield. This worked for Sevilla in the Cup and Theo Walcott’s pace here against Abidal or Maxwell could be telling. It almost goes without saying that when Barca are in possession, Walcott will have to press his man to stop him advancing. That’s a tall order for him and even worse for Andrey Arshavin, who must work to beat and work to stop Dani Alves.
5) Crosses must count
More than 50 per cent of the goals Barca have conceded this season have come from crosses into the box. Depending on Arsenal’s line-up and subs, there could be no better time for Niklas Bendtner or Marouane Chamakh to make an impact.
6) Never relax. Ever
There’s a tendency to believe a side like Barca don’t score from set-pieces. Wrong. Six of their 14 Champions League goals this season have come from corners and free kicks, so the defence must remain alert throughout.
7) Shoot on sight
Iniesta and Xavi rarely drop back too deep, and that hopefully means there will be space behind them and for the Gunners to unload before they are closed down by a pressing defence. Even if the shots sail high and wide, it denies Barca the chance to counter-attack.
8) Make it messy for Messi
When the Argentine wizard gets the ball, use all means necessary to force him to the outside, where he can do less damage. Easy!
9) Keep it tight early on
Arsenal know all about Barcelona’s habit of flying out of the traps; some players are still shaking after their opening salvo in last year’s Emirates encounter. Barca under Pepe Guardiola make a habit of trying to bury opponents early on – look at what happened to Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid after the Special One dared to beat the Catalans with Inter last year. Best not to try anything too ambitious too soon – or risk being cut to ribbons.
10) However…
But if Arsenal can grab one in the opening minutes, the rewards are there. Barcelona are much less effective when their opponents take first-half lead and have failed to win five games that way this season.
Go Gunners Go........
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