FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.02.2010 13:53

Arnau: "It is always special to return to the Camp Nou"

Miquel Agut/David Puig

For ex Barça man Francesc Arnau, games at the Camp Nou are always special even though he’s been in Málaga for ten years. The Catalan goalkeeper admits Barça have been less than brilliant of late but expects them to be back to their best this weekend.

Arnau is about to turn 35, and is looking forward to the chance relive his younger days. "Just because I am well settled in Málaga doesn’t mean I don’t miss Barcelona” he said. “It is always nice to revisit old friends and go back to the Camp Nou. It is great to feel again the sensation of playing for Barça. I was very young and these are things that affect you for life".

Barça always a danger

Arnau assessed his side’s next opponents: "There is never a good time to play Barça. Perhaps they’re not winning every game 4-0 but in Barcelona they have got used to too much of a good thing. They have only lost to Atlético Madrid and played a good second half against Stuttgart. They are top of the League and I’m sure they’ll get through their round in the Champions League, while their elimination from the Cup was an accident ".

Praise for Valdés

In his Barça days, Arnau coincided with a young man who would go on to win a regular place between the Barça sticks. Victor Valdés is a man for whom he has nothing but admiration. "An outsider will have a tough job to take over from Valdés when he retires. He is a highly valued keeper at Barça. Nobody can argue with his qualities and his ability to be successful at the club".