Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin will be key to stopping Barcelona forward Lionel Messi during tonight's Champions League clash, according to Alan Smith.
The Spanish giants have been installed as clear favourites ahead of the game by virtue of their unbeaten record, which stretches back 32 games in all competitions.
The front line of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have scored 91 goals in all competitions this season and the north Londoners will need to keep the entire trio at bay to maintain their hopes of progression.
Coquelin is expected to be deployed as the Gunners' sole defensive midfielder this evening and has been tipped to have an important role to play in regards to restricting Messi's impact on the game.
"Though Messi provisionally starts on the right, he has licence to go where he likes, which usually involves ducking inside to link with [Luis] Suarez and Neymar," former Arsenal striker Smith told the Telegraph.
"Cue Coquelin, who must always be ready to shift across to support Nacho Monreal and shield Laurent Koscielny.
"It requires concentration and energy, as is very hard to sustain for 90 minutes.
"But that is the task facing the Frenchman, who needs Aaron Ramsey to back him up."
How Arsenal can beat Barcelona
While Coquelin will be required to marshal the Argentine forward's every move, Smith is also adamant Mesut Ozil needs to receive the ball regularly in the final third if Arsenal are to threaten the visitors' goal.
"For Arsenal to gain any kind of grip on this game they need their creator-in-chief to be getting on the ball in advances areas.
"Ozil, after all, is one of the best a exploiting controlled possession," he insisted.
