FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.03.2010 12:42

Barça and Arsenal have title aim

Edgar Fornós

FC Barcelona and Arsenal maybe focussing completely on their Champions League quarter final encounter this week, but both clubs are also challenging for their own domestic league titles.

Anticipation has been growing since the draw was made in Nyon and paired the Blaugrana with the Gunners yet it is only on Sunday morning that the players of the teams turned their attentions away from La Primera and the Premier League, respectively, and began to consider the game at The Emirates.

Chasing pack

Arsenal have defied the critics this season and mounted a serious challenge for the title and currently lie in third place just three points behind Chelsea, who are second, and four behind leaders Manchester United. Barça, meanwhile, are level on points at the top of the Spanish top tier with Real Madrid as both sides have 74 points apiece.

Goals galore

Scoring has not been a problem for either club this season either as Barça have netted 71 goals in their 29 league matches while Arsenal have 74 goals to their name in 32 outings.

Keeping record

Víctor Valdés is the highest rank keeper in La Primera so far this term as he has conceded just 18 goals in 29 matches. In English football it is Manchester United that have the best defensive record, while Arsenal have let in 34 in their 32 games with Manuel Almunia have been present for 27 of those goals and Mannone for the other seven.

Home form

Barça have yet to be beaten at home in the league this season. Only Villarreal have actually taken anything away with them when they earned a draw earlier in the campaign. At The Emirates the same cannot be said for Arsenal as they have lost two matches.