Both Arsenal and Barcelona are lining up largely as predicted in their Champions League first knockout round meeting at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Arsenal vs. Barcelona: Lineups
The teams are out for Arsenal’s meeting with Barcelona in the Champions League’s first knockout round.
The Gunners start with their strongest back four, while Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey remain in the pivot. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is preferred to Danny Welbeck out on the right, while Arsenal's star men, Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil, both take pride of place.
As for Barça, Javier Mascherano partners Gerard Piqué in the center of defense, with Jérémy Mathieu and former Arsenal man Thomas Vermaelen on the bench. Their front six is entirely as expected, meaning their terrifying attacking trident consists of Neymar, Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi.
Arsenal starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Petr Čech; Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Héctor Bellerín; Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey; Alexis Sánchez, Mesut Özil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Olivier Giroud.
Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3): Marc-André ter Stegen; Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Piqué, Dani Alves; Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitić; Neymar, Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi.
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