Bob Wilson- Arsenal beating Barcelona would be shock of the season

The Gunners face the reigning European champions in the first knock-out round of this season's Champions League, starting with a home tie against the Catalan giants on Tuesday night.

Barcelona have world player of the year Lionel Messi, who has scored six goals in four games against Wenger's side and is in fine form heading into the latest meeting, as well as Neymar and former Arsenal target and another man in the middle of a purple patch, Luis Suarez.

But, while the trio have been backed to fire Luis Enrique's side to more glory this season, Wilson - who made over 300 appearances as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper and won the league and FA Cup double in 1971 - has hailed the current Gunners team's own three outstanding talents.

"It is almost frightening to say the words: Messi

Suarez

Neymar," Wilson told Press Association Sport.

"There is clearly an air of invincibility about them

Arsenal need to deal with that, knowing that behind them they have internationals right through the side

"But Arsenal can, in the manner in which they play, scare people to death

You look at Barcelona and they have three attacking, world-class players, but Arsenal have three world-class players in their squad.

"They have Petr Cech, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez and behind those three there are another three or four who are just behind them."

Wilson, speaking in advance of the London Football Awards, is expecting a fascinating tie between two sides whose mutual philosophy is based around an attacking approach - but he feels Arsene Wenger may have a few tricks up his sleeve as well.

"Arsenal cannot lose at home," Wilson said.

"It (winning the tie) would be a remarkable achievement and there aren't many people who are prepared to say it but it would be the biggest shock of the season if Arsenal beat Barcelona.

"You have to use your brains and tactics against Barcelona otherwise we will go the same way as others.

"The defence is probably not the strongest part of the Arsenal way of playing

Arsene to his dying day will say it is about how we attack.

"You have two sides who are best going forward, if they have any frailties it is in defence so it will be an extraordinary tactical game.

"I think Arsenal have to play like they did at Man City (in a 2-0 win) last season

It was an extraordinary tactical display, which is not always Arsene's strength because he loves to play beautiful football.

"Ideally Barcelona not scoring here would be great, no-one would put a penny on it but if you get nil against you, you think you can score away

It doesn't need to be 3-2 or 4-3 going to the Nou Camp."

It is the third time in seven years the two teams have been drawn together at some point of the competition, with Barcelona coming out on top in the previous two encounters.

The Primera Division side also beat Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final but Wenger, and everyone involved with the Gunners, will be hoping it is Cech, Ozil and Sanchez who are left celebrating this time around.

:: Bob Wilson is attending the London Football Awards on March 3 in London, in aid of the national charity, Willow, he founded with his wife in memory of their daughter.

:: Tickets are still available at londonfootballawards.org

Willow is the only national charity providing 'Special Days' for seriously ill young adults - willowfoundation.org.uk

Source : PA

Source: PA