Arsenal ready for Barca test (From Borehamwood Times)

Arsenal Ladies will not take Barcelona for granted in their Champions League last-32 clash today

9:19am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Sport

Laura Harvey insists Arsenal Ladies will not take Barcelona for granted when the two sides meet in the second leg of their Champions League last-32 clash today.

Goals from Jennifer Beattie, Jordan Nobbs and Katie Chapman secured a 3-0 victory in last Wednesday’s first leg at Mini Estadi.

And despite holding a healthy advantage going into Thursday’s second leg at Meadow Park, Harvey is certain her team will not become complacent.

She said: “The Champions League is something that means a lot to the Club and the players. It’s something we always want to make sure we do well in.”

“In the last few years, we’ve been disappointed we haven’t got to the final. We want to try to do as well as we can in the competition.

“We’re in a great position to do that after last week but we can’t take our eye off the ball at all. The attitude of the players has to be right.

“We have to go out and put on a performance that’s worthy of a Champions League tie, and shows why we are champions of England.”

One player that could miss the game is defender Gilly Flaherty, who landed awkwardly on her shoulder in Sunday’s win over Doncaster.

Niamh Fahey is also struggling with a quad injury, and Harvey says she will rotate her squad against the Spanish champions.

“Gilly is a doubt. It’s not as serious as we first though. She didn’t dislocate her shoulder, she just damaged the ligaments in it,” she said.

“We’re starting to develop a few niggles, pulls and strains in the squad. That’s the reason you always need to rotate the squad.”