Opinion

Wilshere relishing Barca test

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Jack Wilshere says he is relishing the return leg against Barcelona in the Champions League tomorrow night, believing if Arsenal go through they could be among the favourites to win the whole tournament.
Wilshere was instrumental in the first leg when Arsenal beat Pep Guardiola’s side 2-1, and is confident the team can catch Barca on the break at the Nou Camp.
The 19-year-old also hopes influential captain Cesc Fabregas will be fit to return to the side, as it would be a much-needed boost to a currently injury-hit Arsenal team.
“We know we can beat Barcelona,” said Wilshere. “We did that at the Emirates. If we beat them again we know we have a good chance of winning the tournament.
“We will go there with confidence but realise we have to defend well and hit them on the counter-attack.
“If we get a goal, they will have to come at us but we can win there.
“We do not want to go to Barcelona looking for a draw. It will be an open game and we will create chances. We are looking to score and then see what happens.
“We have shown we have the character to come back from a goal down against the best team in the world and are going there with a massive amount of confidence.
“Hopefully, we will have Cesc Fabregas back. Cesc is massive. He is our captain, our leader and great on the pitch.
“They have a couple of players out. But we know they have got great players in Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, so we will have to defend well.”