FCBARCELONA.CAT

04.04.2010 14:22

Abidal: "Our season is at stake this week"

Anna Segura

Éric Abidal believes that Barça's season depends on how well they do this week and is confident that victory against Arsenal will boost their chance of beating Real Madrid at the weekend.

The French defender was welcomed back by coach Pep Guardiola last week after he recovered from a knock and he is now looking ahead to the next few days that see the Blaugrana play in the Champions League on Tuesday and then in el clásico four days later.

"The season is in play this week," Abidal told a press conference on Sunday morning.

Reigning champions

Looking at the visit of Arsenal the France international stated: "We are the reigning champions of the competition and we should battle hard to retain it. It is the most important game of the season and at home, especially, we cannot falter."

Winning run

With Real Madrid waiting for Barça just a few days after the Gunners encounter Abidal thinks that a win in Europe will set the Catalan outfit up well. "We will have more confidence and we will be stronger going into that game if we win," he said.

Back in action

Against Athletic Club on Saturday evening Abidal returned to action after almost two months out and he was pleased. "I was tense at the start because of the injury and felt that I could repeat it but soon I began to play better and did things that I was doing before."