Guardiola: 'Arsenal match more important than Madrid'

Fresh from his side's impressive thumping of Athletic Club, Josep
Guardiola insists his team is eager to finish what they started in
London.

The gaffer is still rueing their misfortune at the Emirates and he
feels that the result will definately affect their campaign. To stress
the importance of next week's decider, Pep is positive the encounter
has what it takes to be "game of the year".
He said: "Next it's Arsenal, This is the most important of the year,
more important than the Bernabeu. If we beat Arsenal, we'll reach the
final to become Champions of the League and Europe," the tactician
enthused.

He deliberately refused to underrate the Gunners and made it clear
that "On Tuesday, nobody should be left alone. We know Arsenal will be
doing everything they can to win."

Meanwhile, Joan Laporta [president of Barcelona] was very happy with
the team's performance against Athletic Club, but he warned the team
that they cannot afford to mess up at the Camp Nou on Tuesday:
"A very good result after such a tiring game at the Emirates... I
value three points against a side that's doing so well as Athletic
Club." On next week's Champions League quarter final second leg: "We
have to focus on the Champions League. It's very important. We should
think of nothing more than Arsenal. We have to get through the round,"
he emphasized.

Guardiola & Laporta react to draw

Barcelona's coach Josep Guardiola, rued their missed opportunities
last night at the Emirates, and he told Barca's official website that
next week the Gunners might attempt to reverse his team's away-goal
advantage at Camp Nou.

He expressed satisfaction at the way his team played yesterday against
a very good team like Arsenal. The ex Barca player opinionated that
his team won't contemplate the idea of commiting any blunder inside
their own backyard [Camp Nou] next week: "We are happy to have come
here, and show the English what we can do. Last year, we won
everything but we did not play away like we did today (yesterday). We
stopped them from showing their best qualities because we kept hold of
the ball. We have shown the World what we can do, although we still
have to prove ourselves by qualifying."

Joan Laporta: [President of Barcelona] maintained that he was
contented with the draw, despite admitting annoyance at the ease at
which they surrendered their two goal lead: "
Our draw at the Emirates stadium is a good result and as for the
return leg at Camp Nou, it is nice that the glass is half full."

The president added: "Everybody had a good game. But perhaps we lacked
the defination to sentence them." He refused to comment on any
refereeing issue and merely replied "that his focus was on the return
leg and how they will be starting with an advantage."
But he is sorry that the game at the Camp Nou will be missed by Puyol,
Pique and Cesc. "It is a shame, I'd have liked all of them to be
there," he concluded.

Guardiola: "I'm a big fan of Wenger"

Josep Guardiola coach of the reigning European champions has
sensationally revealed that despite being an opposite number at the
Catalan club, he has being and will always be Arsene Wenger's biggest
fan.

Speaking during an interview with Barca Tv - the young tactician
wasted no time in admitting Wenger's superiority: "Mr Wenger is one of
the best coaches in the World. He is part of the history of Arsenal,"
the Barca boss said. "He won trophies and changed the mentality of the
club. All around the World people admire him and Arsenal. That is why
it's an honour to play against a team like Arsenal.
It's time to be serious and focused because tomorrow (today) we play against
one of the best teams in the World over the last ten or 15 years," he
enthused.

He refused to join the growing bandwagon of Arsenal critics who
believe the Gunners cannot cope with the Catalan giants pace without
their midfield orchestrator. Guardiola was quick to point out that
even when the Catalan was not present Arsenal still spelt Porto to
record an emphatic European win: "I know that Cesc is a very good
player and obviously it is better for them if he plays," he continued.
"But they still beat Porto 5-0 and have three or four players who are
dynamic and play on the same position. But if Wenger says he might not
be playing I believe him."

Guardiola: We'll be fit for Arsenal

Barcelona's coach Josep Guardiola is adamant "There is no such thing
as tiredness" as they enter the most crucial stage of the season.

With Osasuna, Mallorca, Arsenal and Real Madrid awaiting them in the
space of three weeks. The Barca boss has refused to give in to
speculation that his team will run out of steam, especially as they
face a tricky Champions League tie with Arsenal next week. He insisted
that "there is no such thing as being tired at this stage of the
campaign," he told reporters, adding "It's only in the first part of
the season that you can live off your memories of what you achieved
last year."

Guardiola earlier admitted that he was hoping for an easier draw, but
he understands that the draw has been made and the Gunners can't be
avoided neither will they be feared, because his team is Ok and
capable of mounting a formidable trophy defence: "If you want to
compete for titles, you have to reach a point of excellence we have
achieved," he said.

"These players must have something going for them. We are in the
quarter finals of the Champions League. We have to visit grounds where
elements other than just sporting could play a part, but the team
looks good to me."

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