It's one of the most appealing ties of this year's Champions League round of 16. Two top European sides meet tonight as English cup winners and title challengers Arsenal face off against current European champions FC Barcelona. It also features the meeting of two Germany internationals: World Cup winner Mesut Özil and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
Özil goes into the game against the defending champions with the wind in his sails. The former Real Madrid maestro is enjoying probably the best season of his career, having been the outstanding player in the Premier League over the past few months. It is in no small part thanks to him that Arsenal, now just two points behind league leaders Leicester City, are in with a very good chance of securing their first league title since 2004.
The 2014 World Cup winner is also well on the way to a personal 'title'. Currently on 17 assists, the 27-year-old is just three behind the single-season record set by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. "Mesut Özil is the best player in the Premier League and one of the best in his position in all of Europe," said manager Arsène Wenger. "His timing is perfect." Özil himself is not bothered by the fact that he is not among the top goalscoring midfielders: "I'm absolutely a team player; I don't need the goals for my ego," he said to Sport 1.
Ter Stegen in battle with Chile's cup winner Bravo
The situation with Marc-André ter Stegen at Barcelona is somewhat different. The 23-year-old, who is playing his second season in Spain, is still waiting to cement himself as Barcelona's number one. Whilst manager Luis Enrique has selected the former Gladbach stopper for domestic cup and Champions League games, he is yet to displace Chilean Copa America winner Claudio Bravo as Barça's first-choice league goalkeeper.
"I'm working hard to play more games," said ter Stegen regarding his situation. "I believe every day that I'll eventually become the regular number one. I think that makes me stronger." He adopts a critical outlook towards his position: "If things aren't how you want them, you have to ask yourself why."
Ter Stegen: "Barça was the right move"
There are several signs that ter Stegen may make the next step to becoming the first-choice goalkeeper in Barcelona. His coach Luis Enrique, who was voted World Manager of the Year 2015 after winning four titles, appears to be impressed with the "professional attitude" of the ex-Mönchengladbach 'keeper: "Marc-André does a great job and will continue to do so." The Germany national goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke has also been praising his "authority and solidity."
Statements such as that have reinforced the Germany international's own thoughts: "Coming here was the right move. Barça is a great club." Another factor in his favour is his age. Whilst his current rival Claudio Bravo is 33 years old and entering the twilight of his career, Marc-André ter Stegen is just 23, with his best years still likely ahead of him.
Özil: "We need a top performance for 180 minutes"
One thing ter Stegen has over his national team colleague Özil is a Champions League title, which he helped secure with a strong performance in the 2015 final against Juventus in Berlin. Even if the London side have drawn probably the strongest team in the tournament, Özil is optimistic about his side's chances of making the final eight. "Perhaps Barça won't have their best day, in which case we'll need to be ready to take advantage," he said, despite admitting that he'd rather not have met the Spaniards as early as the round of 16: "We need a top performance for 180 minutes."
