Five ways Arsenal can upset Barcelona

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 02: Laurent Koscielny (L) celebrates scoring the Arsenal goal with (R) Per Mertesacker during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

2. Use the height advantage

The height advantage is related to the previous requirement of Arsenal finishing off their chances. Giroud may not have an advantage over Gerard Pique but he does over Javier Mascherano and either of the two fullbacks Jordi Alba and Dani Alves.

We saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic focus on making runs to the back post to match up with Cesar Azpilicueta when PSG played Chelsea FC and Giroud and the two central defenders must do the same. Giroud has shown that he is adept at bringing the ball down in the area to his smaller teammates and they must capitalize on those second balls.

Sanchez and Walcott if he is deployed must be in the right place to finish off the chances Giroud or Koscielny/Mertesacker/Gabriel Paulista create when they win those balls from set pieces or corners. Barcelona are unlikely to cause the Gunners any trouble from an aerial perspective and they can be effectively neutralized in that area of the game.

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