Arsenal Uncovered: Unknown player in training, five out, Messi jinx, Wenger hope

ARSENE WENGER is hoping his Arsenal collective can overcome Barcelona's deadly trio at the Emirates.

Arsene WengerGETTY

Arsene Wenger threw youngster Julio Pleguezuelo into training ahead of Arsenal's game with Barcelona

Arsenal welcome the La Liga leaders tomorrow night (7.45pm) for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

And while Wenger hailed Barcelona's 'MSN' forward line of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez for making Luis Enrique's side 'nearly perfect', he feels his players have the ability to match them.

"I know that individually MSN have exceptional talent, the only way we can beat them is collectively," he said.

"Resilient, great solidarity, intelligent as well, lets not forget that we have a good defensive record and a great goalkeeper as well.

"We have to find the right balance between being audacious but also strong defensively as a unit and not put ourselves in a difficult task in the second leg."

When asked how Barcelona's front three compare with other strike forces in world football, Wenger replied: "They are the most efficient. They are top, top class.

"They have a team who can score at any moment, even when dominated. Messi scored 300 goals in 340 games, I've seen many strikers in my life but I've never seen a record like that."

Arsenal will have to do without five first-team stars against Barca, with Wenger confirming Gabriel has not recovered from a hamstring injury despite being spotted training this morning.

The Frenchman confirmed Gabriel will not be fit in time to face Barca, along with long-term absentees Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta.

"Wilshere, Cazorla, Arteta and Gabriel are all out," Wenger said.

Tomas Rosicky remains sidelined with a thigh injury, but Danny Welbeck could start having proved his fitness in the 0-0 FA Cup fifth round draw with Hull on Saturday.

Welbeck looked sharp in training at Arsenal's London Colney HQ today, that saw an unfamiliar face join the ranks.

Julio Pleguezuelo was in training with the Gunners' squad, walking out for the late-morning session with Alexis Sanchez.

Both players used to play for Barcelona, with 19-year-old Pleguezuelo included despite being pretty much an unknown quantity.

But the well-known Messi will arrive in north London desperate to end his curiously poor record against Petr Cech.

The Argentina superstar has never scored against the former Chelsea goalkeeper.

And Wenger is hoping the record can play in Arsenal's favour.

"I hope that will give Cech a lot of confidence and will keep [Messi] quiet," he said.

"I hope that Messi will have a little complex and the history will play for us and against Messi."

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?