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LONDON. — Arsene Wenger has told his players not to be stupid against Barcelona in their Champions League soccer tie tonight. Wenger has claimed Arsenal will never have a better chance of knocking out Barcelona.

Arsenal host the Spanish giants in the last 16 of the Champions League, with Wenger desperate to still be in the tie come the second leg.

And Wenger has ordered his men to play it smart, if they want to stand a chance of causing an upset.

“I don’t know if it’s our best chance in years to beat them,” said Wenger.

“It’s our best chance no matter how big the chance is.

“We have to take it and have a go at them.

“In these big games in the first tie at home we can’t be stupid.

“Many times we’ve won away and at home we’ve conceded.

“We have to find a good balance between defending and attacking.”

One of Wenger’s biggest decisions will be whether to start former Barca ace Alexis Sanchez, who was poor when he came on in Saturday’s goalless FA Cup draw against Hull.

Wenger said: “I think it’s more focus with Sanchez.

“I don’t think he was completely ready to come on.

“He has a game based on risk and so when he’s not completely tuned in it becomes dangerous. Don’t worry about Tuesday.

“He’ll be tuned in.”

Barcelona are currently flying at the top of the Spanish La Liga.

And Wenger reckons Luis Suarez has turned them into the ultimate team.

“Camaraderie — I believe Suarez gives that to a team,” said Wenger, who tried and failed to sign the striker from Liverpool in 2013.

“He did it at Liverpool, he did it playing with Cavani and Forlan for Uruguay and did it well.

“Suarez is the kind of guy who manages to create that spirit in teams.

“It looks like they have fun playing together.”

Wenger admits to having had 40 million and one regrets at not landing Suarez in the summer of 2013 but insists he is over them now.

However, that does not mean he has failed to recognise it is the controversial Uruguay international who is the true pivot of Barcelona’s fearsome three-pronged attack that are heading towards the Emirates tonight. — The Daily Star.