Arsenal confident of exploiting Barcelona soft centre

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BARCELONA, Apr 6 (AFP): Injury-hit Arsenal believe Barcelona's loss of suspended centre-backs Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique will be key to unlocking the door to the Champions League semi-finals.
Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side, who came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the first leg of their quarter-final at the Emirates last week, have been rocked by season-ending injuries to skipper Cesc Fabregas and French defender William Gallas.
But the Gunners believe that the suspensions of Puyol and Pique, who have spent over 4,000 minutes on the pitch in La Liga this season, could prove the downfall of the defending champions at their Nou Camp stronghold on Tuesday.
Puyol was sent off after conceding a late penalty for a foul on Fabregas at the Emirates and Pique was also booked in Arsenal's late onslaught.
"For any team to be without their two central defenders, the two players who play week-in week-out, you know they are people they build the team around and it is not good for them - it is good for us," said striker Nicklas Bendtner.
"People are expecting it to be a difficult game for both teams. It is going to be a hard game. But we think we can do it. This is a trophy we want to win and to win the Champions League you have to beat the best teams."
Meanwhile, Barcelona defender Eric Abidal would rather victory over Arsenal than success on Saturday in the 'El Clasico' against bitter rivals, and Spanish League leaders, Real Madrid.
While the intense rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid means that their league meetings are key dates in the La Liga calendar, on this occasion it comes second to the deciding leg of the tie with the North London club.