Arsenal: 10 Reasons To Be Satisfied With Barcelona UCL Draw

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7. Arsenal have beat Barca before

Just once? Yes, I know. But it was also in the most recent knockout stage. 2011 was not the best year for Arsenal. Although they did scrape out third place in the Premier League, Arsenal lost Captain Fantastic to Barcelona. The team was run through Robin Van Persie almost to a fault. Every Arsenal success was dependent on the Flying Dutchman.

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In goal, Arsenal had Manuel Almunia, Wojciech Szczesny and Vito Mannone. Andre Santos was on defense. Nicklas Bendtner was striking. That is the state that Arsenal was in.

Yet, when Arsenal welcomed Barcelona to the Emirates, the Gunners won 2-1. Against all odds, the Gunners accomplished the impossible. They had beaten the Catalan giants and held their Champions League fate in their own hands.

Of course, they ended up losing on aggregate, but look where Arsenal is now. Manuel Almunia? Not anymore. Now we have Petr Cech. Andre Santos? Not anymore, now we have Nacho Monreal. Sebastian Squiallaci? Not anymore. Now we have Laurent Koscielny. Nicklas Bendtner? Not anymore. Now we have Olivier Giroud.

And that does not even include Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez. Which brings me to my next point.

Next: 6. Arsenal, on their day...