Barcelona’s club director, Albert Soler, has claimed the Catalans won’t underestimate Arsenal in the knock-out stage of the Champions League.

It’s happened: Arsenal have inevitably drawn Barcelona in the next round of the Champions League.

History dictates that this is where we get knocked out and go home with our tails between our legs, once again. However, the Barca club director insists that the La Liga team will have the utmost respect for us.

“Arsenal and Barca have a very similar system of play. I’m convinced the fans will enjoy the football,” Soler said.

“The way we understand football is the same. They will be two great games.”

He added, “As always, we have the utmost respect. I’m sure we’ll have some problems playing against them, so let’s wait and see.”

Of course, this is something that Soler has to say. In reality, I’m sure the players, manager and all the board members were leaping around gleefully. Barcelona are doing well this season and have one of the best teams in the world at the moment.

In fact, Soler’s statement seems a little smug, if you ask me.

With this in mind, is it odd that I’m feeling optimistic? I want them to be happy they drew us because I want for us to be able to march over there and prove them wrong – something we couldn’t do in 2011.