By Lloyd Webb
Thomas Vermaelen says Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 tie with Arsenal is far from over.
The Catalan club take a two-goal advantage into Wednesday's second leg at the Nou Camp after Lionel Messi scored twice at Emirates Stadium in February.
Former Gunner Vermaelen was at the club when Arsenal came close to overturning a similar deficit against Bayern Munich in 2013 and the Belgian is sure that Arsène Wenger’s side will provide tough opposition.
"They have pace and are physical. They have very quick players on the wing and are very energetic. That’s what makes them dangerous"
Thomas Vermaelen
“Of course we will be the favourites but I know Arsenal, and I know it’s not going to be easy,” he said. “I think they gave us a tough time in London.
“When I was there, we played a couple of times against Bayern Munich and we lost at home, but then we went to Bayern Munich, we had very good results and we were close to going through.
"You can never say they are out because they will always come back. The second leg is not going to be easy.
"They want to play football on the floor, they want to keep the ball on the ground and that’s what both teams want. They’d rather not play with long balls because that’s not the type of their play.
"They have pace and are physical. They have very quick players on the wing and are very energetic. That’s what makes them dangerous.”
Thomas Vermaelen
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