Arsenal can just about make sure of a place in the next round of the Champions League with victory over visiting Slavia Prague on Tuesday.The Gunners lead the Premier League and are unbeaten in 14 matches this season as they seek a third straight win in the group stage.Slavia, meanwhile, are top of the Czech standings but are missing several players because of injury. They could struggle against Arsenal’s pace and power, and Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger isn’t worried that Slavia might respond with a tough, physical approach. “The time when we could be bullied is certainly over,” Wenger said. “We can respond when it happens now and on that front we are much stronger than we were. “I feel the players, especially here where the pitch is so good, can escape the bad tackles and keep the ball moving quickly.”Victory over Slavia would make it hugely unlikely that Arsenal would not be one of the two Group H sides to advance.Arsenal have a maximum six points, Slavia are tied on three with Sevilla, and Steaua Bucharest are last with zero. Rosicky, who is just back from a hamstring injury, is in contention for a starting place against Slavia. Theo Walcott, though, is likely to remain among the replacements despite setting up Rosicky’s goal.Slavia Prague, who have never met Arsenal in European competition, are without former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer and defenders Martin Latka and Erich Brabec. Midfielder Daniel Pudil injured his foot in last week’s 3-0 win over Germany, but may be available to boost a team that lost their last Champions League match 4-2 to Sevilla.Midfielders Michal Svec and David Kalivoda could also return from injury.In another encounter in Scotland, FC Barcelona meet Rangers with both teams’ perfect records on the line. They have both won their two opening matches in Europe and will play at Ibrox after contrasting results in their domestic competitions on Saturday.Barcelona lost 3-1 at Villarreal in Spain for their first loss of the season, while Rangers beat Old Firm rival Celtic 3-0 in the Scottish leagueBarcelona defender Eric Abidal, who was in the France team that lost 1-0 to Scotland in European Championship qualifying on September 12, is expecting a tough game.“They play very aggressive football, it is much more physical,” he said, warning that Barcelona should not fall “into the trap of playing like the opposition in one-on-one situations and physical duels.”Barcelona’s loss ended a run of six straight wins in the Spanish league and Europe. They are fourth in the Spanish league, two points behind leader Real Madrid. “I don’t think what happened.can be seen as really serious,” Abidal said of the 3-1 defeat. “It was more an accident, which I hope won’t be repeated against Glasgow Rangers in the Champions League.”Barcelona have been hit by injuries, with striker Samuel Eto’o, defender Rafael Marquez and midfielder Edmilson all out. Midfielder Yaya Toure and defender Gianluca Zambrotta returned from injuries to train on Sunday, but neither are in the Champions League squad. On Saturday, Deco hurt his left thigh and will be out for five weeks. That has caused the return of Ronaldinho, who was left out of Saturday’s game and has played a minor role so far this season. Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Gabriel Milito missed Sunday’s training session, instead doing gym work, but are in the squad.
