Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson are among those needing to win key duels if the Gunners are to secure a first European triumph since 2007

It's fair to say that Arsenal will be up against it this weekend as they prepare to take on Barcelona in the Women's Champions League final. The Catalans have won the last two editions of this competition, firmly asserting themselves as the very best team in Europe – if not the world – along the way. After an 8-2 aggregate demolition of Chelsea in the semi-finals, the defending champions will be favourites to triumph again in Lisbon.

But Arsenal haven't got to this occasion by chance. The Gunners battered Lyon, the eight-time winners, in a 4-1 victory in France in the last round to get to the showpiece event, with that clear evidence that they have the ability to beat the best. Impressive wins over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, who beat Barca in Catalunya just recently, have been other stand-out results in their run to a first Champions League final since their historic triumph in 2007.

Barcelona, however, are on another level. On Saturday, they will play their sixth Champions League final in seven seasons, having won on three of the previous five occasions. They will dominate, they will prevent Arsenal from playing their normal game and they will be expected to win. So, how do the Gunners overcome such a challenge? GOAL picks out six key battles they'll need to come out on top in, in order to stand a chance…

Getty ImagesKim Little vs Aitana Bonmati

Kim Little certainly doesn't get the praise she deserves. Described by former United States goalkeeper Hope Solo as the best player she has ever played with, the Scotland midfielder has the ability to be a classy dictator of play and a defensive asset in midfield, blending her responsibilities seamlessly to bring plenty to the table.

On Saturday, it's likely those off-ball qualities that she'll need to really showcase as she prepares to come up against Aitana Bonmati, winner of the last two Ballons d'Or. Bonmati's goals and assists this season might not be right up there with some of her team-mates, but to only judge her on that is to ignore the way she can grab hold of a game and run it, as was evident in the semi-finals against Chelsea. Little's job has to be to stop her from doing that.

Arsenal simply won't win the midfield battle here, as Barca have the best trio in the world in that area. But they can disrupt the Catalans' conductors to break up play and give themselves chances in transition. Little will be key there, too, as her vision and ability to execute a defence-splitting pass is world-class.

AdvertisementAFPKatie McCabe vs Caroline Graham Hansen

Perhaps the most enthralling individual duel at the Estadio Jose Alvalade will be down Arsenal's left, where Caroline Graham Hansen will be running relentlessly at Katie McCabe. The Norway international has been one of the best wingers in the world for several years now, with many believing she should have claimed last year's Ballon d'Or. Bonmati even said in her winner's speech: "If Caro had won, I'd have been very happy, as she deserved it too."

Graham Hansen has continued that fine form this season and will be one of the most dangerous weapons at Barca's disposal in this final, with McCabe the player who will be tasked with limiting her ability to impact the game. The Ireland captain has had herself a wonderful campaign, though it is her attacking exploits that shone brightest. On this occasion, she will have to lean into those defensive duties much more.

That's not to say she doesn't honour these usually, but Arsenal have set-up under Renee Slegers to maximise McCabe's impact going forward. Steph Catley, the Gunners' left-sided centre-back, covers the space brilliantly behind her team-mate, allowing her free reign in the final third. It will be interesting to see how the coach adjusts the defence to factor in not only McCabe's need to thwart Graham Hansen, but the fact that the left-back won't be able to play like the winger she often does in this match-up.

Getty ImagesLeah Williamson & Steph Catley vs Ewa Pajor

Ewa Pajor has scored an eye-watering number of goals in her first season with Barcelona. The Poland star established herself as one of the deadliest strikers in the world during her nine-year stay with Wolfsburg, developing into as much after signing as an exciting 18-year-old, and she is benefiting from the incredible rate at which chances are created in Catalunya, putting no fewer than 42 of them away in the famous blue and red of Barca so far.

It sounds basic enough to say that Catley and Leah Williamson, Arsenal's centre-back pair, just cannot allow Pajor to get free on Saturday, then, but one only had to watch Chelsea's sturdy defence fall apart in the semi-finals to see it's not as easy as it sounds. Millie Bright has been one of the best defenders in Europe all season, and even she carelessly lost focus for a split second to allow Pajor too much space to net at Stamford Bridge.

Williamson and Catley will need to be switched on for every single moment of this final to avoid gifting the Barca star opportunities that she just will not miss, with constant communication between the two also imperative if they are to stop the 28-year-old from making her mark.

Getty Images SportMariona Caldentey vs Patri Guijarro

Mariona Caldentey has been playing centrally in recent weeks for Arsenal, but as she prepares to face former side Barcelona this weekend, it'll be interesting to see if that changes. The Spaniard started the season as a left winger but has also played in a deeper midfield role and as a No.10. Given that Barca will dominate in central areas in Lisbon, it wouldn't be a surprise if Slegers opts to take Caldentey out of there and put her in a wider position where she might get more space to get on the ball.

However, when deployed on the left, Caldentey still loves to drift inside and create in those central positions, as that is where she is most dangerous. That is likely to continue in Lisbon, meaning it is the watch of Patri Guijarro she is probably going to have to escape.

Guijarro is widely regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in the world – if not best – and she will know all about Caldentey, having played with her for nine years in Catalunya. But Caldentey will know all about Guijarro's tendencies when she is defending, too, and will hope to use that to her advantage in order to carve out opportunities for her team-mates.