Arsenal v Barcelona preview: Barca 'super favourites' but Wenger says Messi has yet to beat Cech

The London team aim to make it third time lucky against Barca over two legs having lost to them in 2010 and 2011, their only victory against Barcelona coming with goals from Robin van Persie and Andrei Arshavin in a 2-1 win in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the latter year.

That victory ultimately proved futile as Lionel Messi, who had scored four times to knock out Arsenal in the 2010 quarter-finals, struck twice in the second leg to secure a 4-3 aggregate win.

But he has yet to find a way past for Chelsea goalkeeper Cech in eight meetings, including a famous win over Barca in the last four on their way to winning the Champions League trophy four years ago.

“I hope that will give Cech a lot of confidence and will keep him quiet," said Wenger in a media conference. "I hope that Messi will have a little complex and the history will play for us and against Messi."

Arsenal also lost to 2-1 Barca in the Champions League final a decade ago when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off in the opening moments.

“Barcelona are super favourites, we need to raise the urgency level," said Wenger.

“Tomorrow everybody is convince we need to absolutely be totally focused to have a chance. Belief, confidence and let’s go for it.

“Last year we were favourites against Monaco, it’s the biggest upset we have known in recent years.

“We didn’t start the game well and we paid for it.

“So tomorrow we need a good mixture between commitment and keep our nerves. No stupid fouls or red card like happened before.”

Wenger failed to bring Luis Suarez to the Emirates from Liverpool in 2013, and has admired the Uruguay’s contribution to Barca since his move to the Camp Nou after the 2014 World Cup.

Suarez is leading goalscorer in La Liga with 25 goals and has scored five times in the Champions League as part of MSN - Messi and Neymar being the other parts of the attacking trio.

"They are the most efficient (forward line) in the world," said Wenger.

“Messi scored 300 goals in 340 games, I’ve seen many strikers in my life but I’ve never seen a record like that.

“They are top, top class.”

Arsenal rotated their squad for the clash with Hull City in the FA Cup, leaving out Mesut Ozil who was suffering with an illness and restricting former Barca forward Alexis Sanchez to a late cameo. German playmaker Ozil will return on Tuesday, as will Aaron Ramsey. Arsenal are without Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Gabriel.

Luis Enrique said Barcelona must iron out some defensive issues that were posed by a creative Las Palmas side, who might have snatched a late equaliser. The coach will be boosted,by the return of defender Gerard Pique, who was rested at the weekend, and defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets from suspension.

Kick off is at 7:45pm on Tuesday.

The match will take place at the Emirates Stadium. Here's all the info you need about the ground.

Yes - the match will be televised on BT Sport in the UK.

Arsenal, who finished second in Group F behind Bayern Munich, are the only team alongside Real Madrid to have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League every season since the new format in 2003/04. They have however been knocked out in the last 16 in each of the last five seasons.

Barcelona, who finished top of Group E ahead of Roma, have made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the 12th consecutive campaign. They have reached the semi-finals in seven of the last eight campaigns. The only exception was in 2013/14 season, when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona have won the Champions League in four of the last 10 seasons. No other team has won it more than once in the same period. They could become the first team since AC Milan to win back-to-back European Cup/Champions League titles. The Rossoneri did it in 1989 & 1990.

Barcelona have come out on top in each of their three previous Champions League home & away knockout encounters with Arsenal: 2006 final (2-1), 2009/10 quarter-final (6-3 on agg.) and 2010/11 Last 16 (4-3 on agg.).

Arsenal and Barcelona’s seven previous Champions League encounters have produced 27 goals, an average of 3.86 per game.

Arsenal have lost their Last 16 home tie in each of the previous three seasons, every time by a two goal margin (v Bayern Munich in 2012/13 and 2013/14, v Monaco in 2014/15).

Arsenal have scored in their last 13 Champions League games, their best run since their 21 games in a row from October 2003 to November 2005.

Barcelona have won 15 of their 19 Champions League games since last season (D2 L2). They’ve also never failed to score in those 19 games.

Barcelona are one of two clubs still unbeaten in the Champions League this season, the other being Real Madrid.

Alexis Sanchez has been directly involved in 58.3% of Arsenal’s Champions League goals this season, scoring three times and delivering four assists.

Neymar has scored seven goals in his last five Champions League knockout games.

Lionel Messi has scored six goals in four Champions League games against Arsenal. However, he has yet to score at the Emirates with Barcelona.

Barcelona (7/10) Arsenal (4/1) Draw (16/5)