Joleon Lescott BELIEVE Arsenal will still try hard for Barcelona if both sides meet in Champions League semi-final.
Barcelona joined Arsenal in the quarter-finals after a rampant attacking display saw them beaten Newcastle United 7-2 in their second leg at Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick’s side scored three goals in a remarkable 16-minute spell at the start of the second half, eventually eliminating their team. Premier League opposition 8-3 on aggregate.
The Catalan giants will now play the winner of Atletico Madrid against Tottenham in the quarterfinals, while Arsenal will face Sporting Lisbon for a place in the fourth final.
But former Manchester City defender Lescott believes Arsenal would be a significant ‘problem’ for Barca if the two sides meet in the semi-finals in what would be a repeat of the 2006 final.
Asked to rate Barcelona’s chances in this year’s competition, Lescott told TNT Sports: “I wouldn’t say that just because of the way they defend.
“I think a more compact team like Arsenal, and with the attacking talent they have, I think will cause Barca a lot of problems because I still think there are weaknesses in their defensive line.
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“But yeah, when they play like that, especially as long as it’s two games, and how exciting they are and how dominant they are at home, they have a chance.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle were made to pay for a poor start to the second half, with Shay Given questioning ddie Howe’s gung-ho approach.
“I think in the cold light of day, when Eddie looks back, I think it’s just disappointing,” Given said.
Champions League quarter-finals draw
Paris Saint-Germain vs Galatasaray or Liverpool
Real Madrid vs Atalanta or Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid or Tottenham
Sporting CP vs Arsenal
“I think the fourth goal came in the 51st minute, but we said at half-time, Newcastle shouldn’t come out and press everyone on the pitch and go away.
“I think they had to be more determined in the second half and be more defensive and frustrate them and quiet this crowd.
“Don’t get too carried away, but the fourth goal comes and it’s game over at that point, and then it’s just taken for fun because Barcelona really stepped it up in the second half.
“We’re level on the field and the speed to move the ball, the movement, the spins all over the field – they’re a top team going forward.”
Reflecting after the game, Howe’s side: ‘Tough way to go out. Really weird to sum it up. The first half we were excellent, although both halves we did not defend properly in key areas. In the second half we were not that good.
“Psychologically, it was difficult for the boys. They had that penalty right before half-time and they scored very quickly after half-time and psychologically, we didn’t recover.”
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