( L - R ) HENRY and RONALDINHO
PARIS (Reuters):
THE OUTCOME of what promises to be a classic Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona is likely to be decided in one key area at the Stade de France today.
Barca, with their formidable strike force of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o, come up against an Arsenal defence which has not been breached in 10 European matches.
Arsenal's back line has been outstanding in Europe, largely thanks to the brilliance of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
Manager Arsene Wenger is likely to re-format his defence because Philippe Senderos is battling for fitness while Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole have returned from injury.
Cole will take Matthieu Flamini's place at left back while Campbell will retain his place at the expense of Senderos in central defence.
The match is finely balanced. Arsenal's own world class maestro, Thierry Henry, could hand Arsenal the European Cup for the first time in their history.
Henry is second only to Ronaldinho as the best player in the world today and, like the Brazilian, is capable of scoring brilliant goals.
UNDERDOG
Man for man, Barca look better equipped and more experienced - but this very fact makes Arsenal dangerous.
Arsenal rarely go into any match as underdogs, but they will today and this could allow them to play their exciting free-flowing game and batter Barca into submission.
Barca received a boost to their preparations on Monday when 18-year-old Argentina forward Lionel Messi was included in their squad.
Wenger is confident Arsenal can win, saying his team looked stronger than ever in the build-up to the match.
"Barcelona are the favourites," Wenger was quoted as saying by French daily l'Equipe on Monday. "But we are serious outsiders and we are determined to do our best.
"We can beat them. It's a final and you always have a chance. My team have banked on (winning) this competition and I'm certain they are going to assume their responsibilities, meaning they are going to win," he said.
