Lionel Messi: 'We have a lot of respect for Arsenal'

Lionel Messi has insisted that Barcelona's Champions League tie with Arsenal is far from in the bag.

The La Liga leaders go into Wednesday's decider at Camp Nou with a 2-0 lead thanks to a Messi brace at the Emirates last month, but the Argentine says that he is wary of the Gunners' attacking threat.

"Arsenal have players more than capable of scoring goals," Messi told reporters at the weekend. "We have put ourselves in a very good position to progress and to reach the quarter-finals but none of the players are thinking that the job is finished.

"Of course we know the danger that Alexis Sanchez can bring but that is only one of many top quality players they have. The style they play is the most similar to that which we play at Barcelona and for that we have a lot of respect for them."

Barcelona remain favourites with the bookies to secure back-to-back Champions League trophies.