Wenger gives Blues hope

Arsene Wenger may not make a natural cheerleader for Chelsea but the Arsenal manager offered his club’s London rivals hope ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona, insisting Lionel Messi and the rest of Pep Guardiola’s side are not the force they were.

Chelsea travel to the Nou Camp with the advantage of a one-goal first leg lead, a situation similar to that facing Wenger and his players when they faced the Spanish side in the same competition last season.

Barcelona prevailed on that occasion but Wenger believes Arsenal’s experience in Catalonia highlighted flaws in Champions League holders, despite their subsequent defeat.