Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger feels they go into their Champions League clash with Barcelona in better shape than last season.
Fit-again Robin van Persie has now scored 11 times since the turn of the year and Wenger believes his rich vein of form could be important to Arsenal in midweek.
"It took him some time to get back to good form. We used him well, not rushing him back," he said.
"He was getting back to his best and he is at his best.
"We go into the Barcelona game in better shape than last season and Robin is part of that. We had many uncertainties last year and now the team has more confidence. We have matured better. We can compete better with them technically."
