The Uruguayan international has plenty of personal motivation

Suárez's record against Arsenal reads three defeats, two draws and two wins in seven meetings. 

Luis Suarez's love affair with the back of the net is still going strong. He is the top scorer in Spain with 25 Liga BBVA goals, which also puts him out in front in the European Golden Shoe rankings, and has netted in his last seven appearances, which have yielded no fewer than a dozen goals.

Over and above his prolific scoring exploits, expert observers are also quick to praise Suárez's tireless pressing when the opposition try to bring the ball out, which plays a key role in helping FC Barcelona to win back possession high up the pitch. We also mustn't forget another of his qualities, his unselfishness: The 29-year-old is not hell-bent on finding the net himself and is just as happy setting up his strike partners, as shown by his high assist count.

Other impressive Luis Suarez attributes are his physical prowess and sturdiness, which enable him to hold off defenders and help explain why he is rarely injured, despite being one of the players used most often by Luis Enrique.

The Uruguayan has only missed seven games this season and none of them were because of injury: two were through suspension, while he was rested for the other five. 

Nevertheless, even though he himself hasn't been blunted, he is aware that fatigue threatens to take its toll on Barcelona and may have had a hand in their laboured performance in Las Palmas. As he put it afterwards, "It's no excuse, but everyone knows we've had a lot of matches in the past month and a half. What's important is that the team keep on picking up the points".

Luis Suárez's enduring form and energy are among the reasons why Barcelona will be in a confident mood going into their clash with Arsenal. The Uruguay international has plenty of personal motivation as he prepares to return to the Emirates, having not enjoyed the best of times against the Gunners during his time with Liverpool, not to mention the transfer saga over the North Londoners' failed attempt to trigger his buyout clause in the summer of 2013.

Leo Messi has no limits

Luckily, Barcelona can call on a ‘beast’ called Messi, who is capable of solving even the most difficult problems.

Leo Messi is the best football player in the world. And in history. And those who deny that are blind. Or don’t understand football. Or, simply, are Real Madrid fans incapable of recognising the reality: Lionel Messi has done so well at FC Barcelona that he has made Real Madrid’s most glorious pages look less significant. Because Leo Messi is a wizard. A genius. He demonstrates it in every game. Beating records and making incredible plays. Impossible for the rest of the mortals, but not for him, clearly. 

Plays like those that helped FC Barcelona beat Celta Vigo at camp nou. It was a difficult win and Messi played the lead role. He scored the first goal from a fantastic free kick and gave a ‘PlayStation’ assist for the second goal, scored by Luis Suarez.

He once again made it clear that he is a long way above any other player on the planet. His recital continued with another perfect pass for Neymar, which ended up with Suarez ‘robbing’ the Brazilian for another goal. And he emulated Johan Cruyff’s famous penalty by passing to Suarez from the spot. 

Barcelona have struggled in some recent games. With the exception of the hammering of Valencia, the Bluagrana made hard work of wins against Malaga, Atletico and even Levante. They have lacked fluidity and pressure and there have been individual errors. Fortunately, Luis Enrique’s side have shown their competitive spirit. They have won without playing well.

After wins for Madrid (4-2 against Athletic) and Atletico (1-0 against Getafe), FC Barcelona were obliged to win in order to maintain their lead at the top. And the Galicians, who won 4-1 in the meeting at Balaidos earlier this season, once again turned up against Luis Enrique’s side. Luckily, FC Barcelona can call on a ‘beast’ called Messi, who is capable of solving even the most difficult problems.

Neymar scores points against Super Bowl stars

While, the player most used by the FC Barcelona coach is midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who has only missed 13 of the 100 games in Luis Enrique's reign. 

FC Barcelona forward Neymar was one of the stars to feature - in one way or another - in Super Bowl 50. He wasn't involved in the event itself, but he did appear in one of the adverts - which are a big deal in America.

While the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers battled on the pitch, Neymar was present in an advert for fast-food chain Taco Bell. To air an advert during the Super Bowl costs five million dollars for every 30 seconds. 

Neymar's appearance was fleeting, but his message was clear: "The real football" in refence to Americans calling the sport soccer. The Brazilian could take part in the American Cup in the States this summer.

On the other hand, any FC Barcelona fan, asked about the player most picked by Luis Enrique, would answer: "Leo Messi". However, that is not the case. The player most used by the Asturian coach is Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who has only missed 13 of the 100 games in Luis Enrique's reign. 

The second most used, yes, is Lionel Messi who has only played two games less than the Croatian, on 85. In the group that have played 80 per cent or more, are Sergio Busquets, on 81, and Neymar, 80.

All the most used footballers in the top 10 form, logically, his gala XI. Further away from the top of the list are the goalkeepers, who get rotated with each other a lot. Claudio Bravo has played 58 times, Ter Stegen 38. Sergi Roberto is the most used outfield player beyond the top 10, having featured 51 times for Luis Enrique

To end, the Catalans face Valencia at Mestalla on Wednesday in their Spanish Cup semi-final return leg, with the tie all but decided. That is why Luis Enrique plans to rest some of his theoretical first-choice players. With that in mind, Barça B's Sergi Samper, Gerard Gumbau, Wilfrid Kaptoum, Juan Cámara and Daniel Romera all trained with the first team on Monday and some of those players could be named in the squad for Wednesday's trip to Valencia.

Leo Messi is breaking records

FC Barcelona and Messi are shining with its own light.

Leo Messi showed his goalscoring efficiency once again. His second strike of three during Barcelona's 7-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first leg win against Valencia FC allowed him to hit his 500th career goal at just 28 years old. 

They include all games for Argentina, including at U20 level and Olympics, as well as Barcelona. His second goal was the 435th official strike with FC Barcelona. Add the 49 from Argentina, the 14 at U20 level and the 23 with the Olympic side, and you have 500. 501, now, after his third. 

Lionel Messi has won 26 titles with his goals at Barcelona, as well as the Olympic gold in 2008, after Pep Guardiola let him play in the tournament.

On the other hand, Luis Enrique’s Barcelona are producing statistics which can’t be disputed this season. In fact, if they don’t lose on Wednesday against Valencia in the Spanish Cup semi-final first leg, they will equal the record set by Rinus Michels’ Barcelona, who went 27 games unbeaten in the 1973-74 season. Then, the only FC Barcelona team with a better record would be Pep Guardiola’s side that went 28 games without losing in 2010-11. 

On the current run, Luis Enrique’s side have won 21 games and drawn five more. They’re numbers which can’t be argued with. It was October 3 of last year when they last lost a game, beaten 2-1 at Sevilla. Since then, however, they have not tasted defeat. We are talking no less than four months without losing. 

To beat Guardiola’s record, Luis Enrique will have to avoid defeat in games against Valencian opposition. That’s the two Spanish Cup semi-final games against Valencia FC and the league game, which takes place in the middle, at Levante on Sunday. 

And for those that like statistics, more data: Luis Enrique’s Barcelona are about to stretch their unbeaten run at Camp Nou to one year. The last time they were beaten was by Malaga on February 21, 2015.