Arsenal must sacrifice their attacking game to beat Barcelona, insists Thierry Henry

Arsenal will need to play on the counter-attack and be content with just 30 per cent possession if they are to have any chance of beating Barcelona, according to Thierry Henry in his column for The Sun.

The Gunners host Luis Enrique's men in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, before taking on Lionel Messi and Co at the Nou Camp on March 16.

Barca are favourites to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, but Arsenal legend Henry believes the Londoners stand a chance if Arsene Wenger is willing to compromise his principles.

The Frenchman, who left the Emirates to join Barcelona in 2007, wrote 'They (Arsenal) have to accept they will probably only have 30 per cent possession and must be so efficient when they do get the ball.

'The whole team must defend more as a unit and the wingers must tuck in and play more in their own half.

'You very rarely get the chance to play against Barcelona so you must be prepared to sacrifice parts of your attacking game, home and away.'

And Henry, who lost the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona with Arsenal before winning the competition three years later as a Barca player, knows the Gunners must be clinical in front of goal if they are to upset the odds. 

'Arsenal must be brave on the ball,' he added. 'They need to stay compact, play on the counter and score every time they get in their penalty area.

'They can't be exposed in the middle and must force Barcelona to run back 60 yards before they get the ball. If you allow them to stay in your half for wave after wave, it becomes almost impossible to defend.'

Source: MENA