Soccer:Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola welcomed the late addition of Robin van Persie to Arsenal's squad for tomorrow night's Champions League showdown at the Nou Camp and would have no problem were Theo Walcott or Alex Song to be jetted out to Spain as well.

Van Persie was substituted during the Gunners’ Carling Cup final defeat against Birmingham after suffering a knee injury while scoring the equaliser at Wembley.

Tomorrow’s last-16 second leg, into which Arsenal take a slender 2-1 lead, was expected to come too soon for the Holland striker. However, Van Persie trained with his team-mates at London Colney this morning and was part of the 19-man squad which left Luton Airport this afternoon, including fit again skipper Cesc Fabregas.

It remains to be seen whether the 14-goal striker will lead the Arsenal attack tomorrow night, as he will be assessed in the morning.

Guardiola, though, would welcome all of the Gunners’ star names in the starting XI, with the likes of midfielder Song and England winger Walcott left behind because of injury.

“I would like Song to play; maybe there could be a private flight for Walcott to come in at the last minute — you never know,” said Guardiola. “I want all the great players to play, everyone against everyone and see a great show tomorrow. I hope they are all in the team — Van Persie, [Samir] Nasri, Cesc, because I would like to play the best possible Arsenal.”

The Barcelona boss, who himself has been plagued by a back complaint which needed hospital treatment, continued: “If Van Persie plays, then no problem. It is good for the team and good for everyone. If he cannot, then Arsenal have a squad with players at a great level.

“Arsenal have many alternatives, are very dynamic and can play in different positions, their counter-attack is great. We will try to prevent that. This is always a special game in the Champions League and it is a magnificent challenge.”

Guardiola — who won the European Cup in his first season in charge two years ago — rejected suggestions Arsenal did not have the spirit of true champions.

“I keep hearing about the fragility in the minds of the Arsenal players, but I do not agree,” the Barcelona boss maintained. “They are competing with Manchester United for the Premier League, reached the final of the Carling Cup and a few seasons ago were in the final of the Champions League.

“Arsenal are always in the top, when you compete every season at the top, it is because they are quality. Sometimes they sell players, but Arsenal always keep the same level.

Many teams arrive at the top for one year, but then are finished. Arsenal are there every season.

“For many years they have kept up there, and that is the real merit. Yes, they lack something, but they are a young team. When they win the first time, they will change the mentality, they will realise they are good.”

One Arsenal youngster tipped for a big future is midfielder Jack Wilshere.

The 19-year-old has impressed Guardiola.

“Wilshere is a top player. He has been a big surprise. I did not know him at the beginning of the season,” the Barcelona manager said. “He is an excellent player, not just Arsenal, but also for the national team. We have many players like him in our second team. It is very good news for football to have players like him.”

Barcelona will be unable to field either of their first-choice central defenders tomorrow as captain Carles Puyol has failed to recover from a knee injury while Gerard Pique is suspended. Midfielder Sergio Busquets has no qualms about dropping back to help out in defence.

“Wherever I play, I feel comfortable with all of my team-mates,” the World Cup winner said. “I am always prepared, and last week I played in defence against Valencia.”

Busquets expects the Nou Camp atmosphere to intimidate Arsenal.

“This will be different from the first leg — we will have the crowd support here from the first minute,” he said. “We must not be nervous, because the game is 90 minutes and even 1-0 would be good for us. It would be great to have a result like last year, but we will have to earn it if we want to be in the quarter-finals.”