The Barcelona starting XI was announced just before 2:00 p.m. Eastern, 45 minutes before Barça and Arsenal are scheduled to kick-off at the Emirates. The lineup is largely as you'd expect with one eye-opening inclusion. The match-up that defined last year's leg in London - Theo Walcott versus Maxwell - looks set to be repeated.
Arsenal Vs. Barcelona: Barca Lineup
That's because Pep Guardiola has elected to start the Argentine fullback on the left, moving Eric Abidal into the center of defense to take the place of injured Carles Puyol. Last year at the Emirates, Walcott constantly ran past Maxwell, eventually forcing Barcelona to play a much deeper line than they're accustomed to employing. In the Nou Camp's return leg, Abidal returned to the lineup and help Walcott scoreless and shot-less over 90 minutes.
Those two will be joined in defense by Dani Alves (right back) and Gerard Piqué. Victor Valdes gets the start in goal.
The rest of Guardiola's choices are as expected. Sergio Busquets will play at the base of midfield behind Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. From right-to-left, Barcelona will employ Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro Rodríguez as advanced attackers.
Barcelona Starting XI: Valdes - Alves, Piqué, Abidal, Maxwell - Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta - Messi, Villa, Pedro
Bench: Jose Pinto, Adriano, Gabriel Milito, Javier Mascherano, Seydou Keita, Ibrahim Afellay, Bojan Krkic
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