BACKGROUND

For a club with the magnitude of Barça to have won the game's greatest club competition just once is an enigma, while the Gunners' inability to reach this stage before now has been equally baffling.

Although the Catalan giants have indeed been to four previous finals, only two of the club's current squad, Deco and Ludovic Giuly, have experience of such an occasion leaving Barça’s collection of world stars on a similar footing to Arsenal.

Arsené Wenger's side have been involved in the race for the title virtually every year since the Frenchman took the Highbury reins, but their success in Europe has arrived in a campaign where they have failed to impress on the domestic front.

At Camp Nou, Barcelona endured six seasons without winning any silverware before claiming the title last season and their success in La Primera has, in fact, coincided with their dominating form in Europe.

The focus of the final has fallen heavily on the team's two outstanding players, as Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry have hogged the limelight, despite strenuous attempts by both men to shun the attention.

Talk in both camps is how the game will not be a duel between the winner and runner-up of the FIFA World Player of the Year award, but the attention was inevitable.

While the Brazilian is revelling at Barça, the Frenchman has not helped matters by refusing to refute reports that he is set to join the Gunners' opponents in the final during the summer.

Every interview on television, radio and in print has eventually turned to the prospect of the pair playing together at Barça next season and the exasperation at both clubs has become evident.

The 'will he, won't he' scenario is likely to be unaltered by the result in the Stade de France on Wednesday evening as Henry recognises the potential at Arsenal as much as the temptation of playing for Barcelona.

In Barcelona the mood is confident, but by no means arrogant, as everyone connected to the club believes that after so many barren years they finally have a team on their hands capable of being crowned as Europe's best.

Frank Rijkaard has introduced a system that has won plaudits across the globe for its focus on attack and in Ronaldinho, Deco, Giuly, Henrik Larsson and Samuel Eto'o he has the perfect players to compliment the tactics.

Whenever Barça's performances are analysed the focus usually turns to the incredible speed, technique and movement of when the team gains possession and looks goalwards.

But Rijkaard has learned the hard way that a strong defence is the key to success on the continental stage.

After being eliminated from the Champions League in a dramatic night against Chelsea last season, both the coach and the players at Barcelona came of age.

This term the Catalan side have shown a maturity and understanding that has seen them concede only 32 goals in 37 league outings and just four in 12 European matches.

That is the problem that faces an Arsenal side that have also enjoyed incredible success in reaching the final based on a solid defensive unit and a fast counter-attack.

The Gunners, just like their opponents, have some of the most technically gifted players on offer that can pass the ball fluidly and at pace when moving forward, but their main tactic is the breakaway.

League form has caused some consternation as the club were forced to wait until the final day to ensure that they would be playing in the Champions League next term, but the physical nature of the English league has been highlighted as the reason for their struggle.

Wenger has incorporated players that are accustomed to the continental game and are still learning the ropes amid the sometimes unforgiving midfield battles that rage in the Premiership.

Against European opposition his playmakers have come to the fore as they are given time and space to express themselves and that is why the final promises to be such an attractive occasion.

The team’s success has also been built on a solid defence and a goalkeeper that is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career.

Jens Lehmann was the semi final hero, with his last gasp penalty save, but it is also his back four that have grown together throughout a season that has seen them mould into one of the tightest units in Europe.

A run of ten games without conceding has come about, in the elimination rounds at least, thanks to defending in numbers and then launching attacks quickly from the back.

TEAM NEWS

FC Barcelona: Lionel Messi has been given the green light by doctors to play in the final and the news has boosted morale even further among the squad. The diminutive Argentinian is a favourite among the players and even if he does not appear after two months out with a thigh injury, his presence will be crucial.

Andrés Iniesta is set to be given the nod ahead of Xavi Hernández, as the youngster has been outstanding after stepping into the team while the latter recoveredfrom a knee ligament injury.

Rijkaard is likely to opt for his defence-minded full-backs and play Oleguer on the right and Gio Van Bronkhorst on the left, with Juliano Belletti and Sylvinho waiting on the bench.

Henrik Larsson's final appearance in a Barça shirt is likely to start from the sidelines with Ludovic Giuly looking set to be named on the right of the three-pronged attack. The Barça coach rested the majority of his first choice team for the 3-2 defeat against Sevilla at the weekend and so has no crucial injury worries.

Arsenal: Wenger has two big decisions to make for his starting line-up as Mathieu Flamini and Philippe Senderos have been declared fit for the final. The French manager is wary that the duo may not be match-ready and able to begin the most important game in the history of the London club. Instead, Sol Campbell will remain in the centre of defence alongside Kolo Touré, while Ashley Cole will be named at left-back.

Gilberto Silva will sit behind a midfield quartet that is likely to be made up of Alaixandr Hleb on the left, José Antonio Reyes on the right and Cesc Fabregas and Freddie Ljungberg in the middle, leaving Henry as the lone striker

With choices to be made across the centre of the park, Wenger will use Robert Pires as a substitute who can come and change the forward thrust of the Gunners if indeed he is required.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Deco (FC Barcelona): While all eyes will be on Ronaldinho whenever the Brazilian magician receives the ball, a crucial element of the match will be which side wins the midfield. In Deco the Catalan side have a player that can keep possession, make a crucial pass and embark on runs that usually end in a shot or him being fouled somewhere within Ronaldinho's free-kick range.

The Portugal international has been here before and knows what it takes to win a game under such pressure and could be crucial both going forward and tracking back.

Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal): The Catalan youngster has also received his fair share of attention in the build-up as he has been praised for his performances this season and now he must show that he can play on game’s biggest stage. Cesc’s maturity and confidence has won him many fans, but very little of it all has gone to the player's head.

He will be up against his former club knowing that the majority of his friends from his home town of Arenys del Mar will be kitted out in the Blaugrana colours supporting the opposition. His self-determination and ability to keep cool could be the key to ensuring that the Gunners stay calm.

PROBABLE TEAMS

FC Barcelona: Valdés, Oleguer, Van Bronkhorst, Puyol, Márquez, Edmílson, Xavi, Iniesta, Giuly, Ronaldinho, Eto'o

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboué, Cole, Touré, Campbell, Gilberto, Hleb, Fabregas, Reyes, Ljungberg, Henry

PREDICTION

The midfield battle will be the key in this colossal encounter. Everything that Barcelona create passes through the middle with extremely few high balls being played to the front men. Therefore, the Gunners’ main task will be to swamp the centre of the park and ensure that Rijkaard's team have no space in which to employ their passing game. Equally, the Catalan team must be wary of Arsenal launching counter-attacks along the floor at great speed and will have to keep players back to ensure that breakaways are prevented.

Both teams have players with incredible technique and vision, but the impetus is with Barça after their title victory and their track record throughout the season that has been match by no club in Europe. Arsenal will pack their defence when under attack, but it is doubtful that any man-marking will be employed as that would lead to even more problems in other areas. It will be fast, frenetic and above all a spectacle as two sides that enjoy entertaining and attacking go head-to-head.

At the end though, they will be dancing on Las Ramblas once again.

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