The draw for the quarter finals of the Champions League has given us the glamour tie of the round and possibly the entire tournament so far. Speaking to Gooners and non-Gooners alike this week I was surprised by the number who agreed with my view that the team Arsenal would like to face the most in the quarter finals would be Barcelona. After failing so badly against the big teams this season, this will be the best remedy for the attendant criticism that followed these matches.

The tie opens up a Pandora's box of possibilities that make it so exciting. Now many will argue that a final against Barca and even a semi would be better? Semi finals are usually tense cagey affairs, and the final is a one off match where anything could happen - like our keeper getting sent off in 2006. A quarter final over two legs where we can play with the handbrake off as the boss seemingly prefers us to will be perfect.

Of course many questions will be asked of us, principally how will our defence and a below average goalkeeper cope with Messi? But let’s ask them some questions too, such as can their defence cope with an in-form Bendtner? Can their full backs rein in their attacking prowess to cope with Walcott, Nasri and Arshavin? Let’s not forget that Fabregas will take centre stage and may possibly be looking at a career defining performance to cement his starting place in the World Cup for Spain. How will Barcelona cope with a team, who like them play good football? From now on all the players in the squad may put in an extra 10% to make sure that they make the starting line-up for the big match, hence it may add to our league form.

I look forward to the return of our greatest player Thierry Henry - I am sure we will give him the warmest reception. Wenger is a known admirer of the Barca way of playing. With two teams who like to play attractive attacking football all the ingredients point to a mouth-watering tie. Let’s not look beyond the quarters just yet and look forward to what the next month will bring.