A change of style has allowed Arsene Wenger's men to improve in the eyes of the future Bayern Munich boss but he still rates the Catalan giants as a major force
Arsenal are closing the gap in quality between themselves and Barcelona, former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti believes.
The Gunners are set to meet the Spanish champions in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the first leg taking place on February 23. While the English side crashed out at this point last term, Barca went on to win a fifth European title, but the Italian believes that the gap in quality is narowing.
"Arsene Wenger has changed their style of play, they're playing more on the counterattack, using the skills of their strikers – Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez," Ancelotti told Goal.
"Maybe they've closed the gap but Barcelona are really strong."
It has been five seasons since the teams last met in the Champions League, with Barca winning the previous tie 4-3 on aggregate after suffering a 2-1 first-leg reverse at the Emirates Stadium.
- Goal