Barcelona's team is markedly different to the one Arsenal faced in the 2025 Women's Champions League final - but the challenge is as difficult as ever.

Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas was among a number of high-profile summer departures, but Barca remain favourites to continue their European domination.

The reigning champions have won all three league-phase matches, scoring 19 goals, and welcome Arsenal to the Nou Camp on Thursday (17:45 GMT).

Two seasons ago, Arsenal stunned Barcelona in the Women's Champions League final, less than five months after Renee Slegers was named permanent manager.

That victory kick-started a new era for the Gunners under Slegers, but it has not gone to plan so far this season.

Disappointing results and a five-game winless run, which ended in October, have left Arsenal sixth in the Women's Super League.

However, the Gunners have started the European campaign well and are fifth in the table with seven points from their first three matches.

And given Barcelona's summer changes, Arsenal might have hoped to be facing a team in transition - but the Spanish giants look as strong as ever.

So how have Barca - who have won four of the past six Women's Champions League titles - hit the ground running this term despite losing some of their key players?

When Spain great Putellas left Barcelona in the summer to join London City Lionesses, it felt like the end of an era.

She was followed to Bromley by defender Mapi Leon, while full-back Ona Batlle joined Arsenal and Salma Paralluelo swapped Barcelona for European rivals Lyon.

All four had played a key part in Barcelona's dominance and ended their time at the club with a historic quadruple, including a fourth Champions League last season.

So how have Barcelona coped with losing such big players?

"Every season is different. There are always changes but we know that's football," Barcelona's Esmee Brugts told BBC Sport.

"There's an opportunity to make a new story and that's up to us. So far, I've been quite happy with how it's going.

"I'm excited for the upcoming games to see how we do. It can be a bit different - but different in a good way also."

Barcelona's success is down to multiple factors, but it all centres around a distinctive playing identity that is ingrained in Spanish footballers from a young age.

Stars such as three-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati were developed at the club's famous La Masia youth academy, situated next to the Estadi Johan Cruyff, which is named after one of Barca's greatest footballers.

They produce a conveyor belt of talent, all trained to play the same way, and having learned to swap in and out of positions seamlessly.

It is a way of playing that Netherlands international Brugts has picked up with ease since joining in 2023.

"It's difficult to explain because it's so many small things. It's doing the simple things good," said Brugts. "It's a team sport. If everybody does their own roles, you'll perform the best way.

"I watched a documentary about Johan Cruyff and it's exactly how he wanted to play. It's how we try to play every week. We try to be as perfect as possible.

"We try to win every trophy there is by playing really beautiful football, in my opinion. The 'tiki-taka' I enjoy so much."

Arsenal boss Slegers said Barcelona have "a really strong identity" and she does not believe this changes when new players come into the side.

"They can play in different positions and also have a very strong and clear way of playing. It's very impressive with the way Barcelona plays," said Slegers.

"With new players coming in and then rotating, their style of play stands up. We think we have quite a clear idea of what that could look like."

While it is a new era for Barcelona, their ambitions remain the same - to defend their four titles this season.

Brugts said they are "really building" their identity with new players in the squad and believe there are "no limits" to what they can produce.

Talented youngsters such as midfielder Clara Serrajordi, 18, defender Renee van Asten, 20, and forward Vicky Lopez, 20, have added more depth to the squad.

"It took me some time to adjust, to learn and understand what it is to play the Barca way. I'm still not there, but it's a process," said 23-year-old Brugts.

"It's an interesting journey - to do it surrounded by the best players, some that have left and some that are still here.

"I'm super-grateful and I'm super-proud if I look at what's coming up from the younger teams. I'm very impressed with how good they are.

"The way Barcelona plays is something you have to learn when you are young. Whenever we need them, they are ready to play and understand the game."