Arsene Wenger: Referee killed Arsenal's game against Barcelona by sending off Robin van Persie

Arsene Wenger has claimed that even UEFA officials he spoke to were “shocked” by Arsenal striker Robin van Persie’s red card against Barcelona.

In a strong attack on referee Massimo Busacca's handling of the match’s pivotal moment, Wenger accused the official of “killing” the tie - which stood at 1-1 on the night, 3-2 in Arsenal's favour on aggregate at the time - for dismissing van Persie in the second half.

The Dutchman received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away only a second after Busacca blew his whistle, which the Frenchman believes was an “embarrassment” for the sport and ruined the game as a spectacle for neutrals and football lovers.

“How can you kill a football game like that?” said Wenger in his post-match press conference. “Two kinds of people can be unhappy. Those who love Arsenal and those who love football. It is very difficult to understand his [Busacca’s] attitude.

“Anyone who has played football at a certain level, you can’t understand how this decision can be taken at this level. It is impossible. It ruined a promising and fantastic football match. What for? If it is for a bad tackle, fair enough.

“Frankly, it is embarrassing if you love the game. I just spoke to Uefa people and they are shocked as well. If you are neutral you will never understand a decision like that.

“We lost against a very good Barcelona side. Congratulations to them and good luck to them in the future. We have many regrets tonight because we didn’t like to lose the game like that.”

At that point, Arsenal had just scored the equaliser through an own goal from Sergio Busquets but a Lionel Messi double and a Xavi strike gave Barcelona a 3-1 win on the night and a 4-3 advantage over the two legs.

Wenger admitted he had confronted Busacca afterwards but did not hear what he wanted.
With a heavy dose of sarcasm, the Frenchman said: “He was receptive, not necessarily to my view. He must think that he made the right decision.

“I feel Barcelona is good enough to win in a normal way against anybody. We want to be given the chance to play a normal game here.

“I felt that Barcelona gave a lot in the first half. We were completely dominated, I agree with that. In the second half there was more balance and overall I was convinced we would have won this game.”

Wenger also had to endure the agony of seeing his hugely promising goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny leave the field early on after injuring his finger saving a shot from Dani Alves.

“He has a dislocated finger,” said the Arsenal manager. “We have to check the injury. I don’t know yet how long he will be out.”

Arsene Wenger: Referee killed Arsenal's game against Barcelona by sending off Robin van Persie

Arsene Wenger has claimed that even UEFA officials he spoke to were “shocked” by Arsenal striker Robin van Persie’s red card against Barcelona.

In a strong attack on referee Massimo Busacca's handling of the match’s pivotal moment, Wenger accused the official of “killing” the tie - which stood at 1-1 on the night, 3-2 in Arsenal's favour on aggregate at the time - for dismissing van Persie in the second half.

The Dutchman received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away only a second after Busacca blew his whistle, which the Frenchman believes was an “embarrassment” for the sport and ruined the game as a spectacle for neutrals and football lovers.

“How can you kill a football game like that?” said Wenger in his post-match press conference. “Two kinds of people can be unhappy. Those who love Arsenal and those who love football. It is very difficult to understand his [Busacca’s] attitude.

“Anyone who has played football at a certain level, you can’t understand how this decision can be taken at this level. It is impossible. It ruined a promising and fantastic football match. What for? If it is for a bad tackle, fair enough.

“Frankly, it is embarrassing if you love the game. I just spoke to Uefa people and they are shocked as well. If you are neutral you will never understand a decision like that.

“We lost against a very good Barcelona side. Congratulations to them and good luck to them in the future. We have many regrets tonight because we didn’t like to lose the game like that.”

At that point, Arsenal had just scored the equaliser through an own goal from Sergio Busquets but a Lionel Messi double and a Xavi strike gave Barcelona a 3-1 win on the night and a 4-3 advantage over the two legs.

Wenger admitted he had confronted Busacca afterwards but did not hear what he wanted.
With a heavy dose of sarcasm, the Frenchman said: “He was receptive, not necessarily to my view. He must think that he made the right decision.

“I feel Barcelona is good enough to win in a normal way against anybody. We want to be given the chance to play a normal game here.

“I felt that Barcelona gave a lot in the first half. We were completely dominated, I agree with that. In the second half there was more balance and overall I was convinced we would have won this game.”

Wenger also had to endure the agony of seeing his hugely promising goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny leave the field early on after injuring his finger saving a shot from Dani Alves.

“He has a dislocated finger,” said the Arsenal manager. “We have to check the injury. I don’t know yet how long he will be out.”

Barcelona 3 - 1 Arsenal - Match Report

 

Arsenal are out of the Champions League.

The challenge came unstuck once again at Barcelona and once again at the feet of Lionel Messi.

The Argentinean maestro opened the scoring in first-half injury time and fired home the tie-clinching penalty in the 71st minute.

Inbetween those goals, Arsenal equalised when Sergio Busquets nodded into his own net and were then reduced to 10 men when Robin van Persie received a second yellow card for playing on after the referee has blown.

It was a highly controversial dismissal and it made the difference on the night. Xavi Hernandez levelled the tie soon afterwards and, a couple of minutes later, Messi’s penalty clinched qualification for the Spanish champions.

The statistics will support this result. Barcelona had two-thirds of the possession, far more shots, more corners, more everything. But that was always likely to happen.

Arsenal knew they had to perform wonderfully well to knockout the tournament favourites and have the key moments go their way.

Neither happened this evening but they pushed Barcelona harder than they had 12 months ago when Messi had scored all four goals in a tie that was dead at half-time.

This is disappointing but, yet again, Arsenal suggested they are stronger than last season.

And while this door has closed, their season is still alive.

The fitness of Van Persie had not even been mentioned by Wenger when he spoke to the media on Monday morning. It was ‘a given’ he was out with the knee injury sustained in the Carling Cup Final.

A few hours later he was on the plane to Spain.

On Tuesday evening he started up front.

Cesc Fabregas returned from the hamstring injury he collected against Stoke a fortnight ago to captain the side. Abou Diaby was chosen to fill the role left by the absence of Alex Song (knee).

Arsenal held that slender lead from the home game. But Barcelona had an away goal, an array of world-renowned talent and the backing of a noisy Nou Camp.

An injury-hit Arsenal had perished here last season after a Messi masterclass.

They were odds-on to go out again but this vintage seemed a little stronger than 09/10. However, this was the ultimate test.

The opening stages were cagey. Laurent Koscielny blocked Pedro as he prepared to shoot and held off Messi after he pounced on a misplaced pass from Johan Djourou.

The ball bounced out to David Villa but Jack Wilshere slid in to scoop away his low cross.

It was hardly pressure. But, as we approached the quarter-hour, Barcelona were taking control.

Arsenal had done little attacking while the home side were starting to chip away at the visiting defence.

In the 16th minute, Koscielny hauled down Pedro and was booked. Daniel Alves hammered the free-kick goalwards and Wojciech Szczesny gathered.

The Polish keeper immediately threw the ball out and called from treatment for what appeared to be a hand injury. He could not carry on and Manuel Almunia replaced him.

Now, the game was being played in the Arsenal half and that was no good at all for the long-term health of that one-goal lead.

It was no surprise that the chances started to flow.

Fabregas gave the ball away in midfield, Messi darted through but was dispossessed and Pedro curled an effort wide.

Just past the half-hour, Messi weaved beyond Djourou, Koscielny and Gael Clichy only for the Swiss defender to recover and hack the ball away as he looked set to score.

This was nothing more than we had expected. Barcelona were always going to have most of the ball and Arsenal were going to have to grab what they could on the break.

But it was still a strain.

Villa escaped from Djourou and slid a lame shot towards Almunia but, in the 35th minute, left back Adriano reached the byline and, from the tightest of angles, thumped a shot against the outside of the near post.

This had been billed as a battle between the best two footballing sides in the world but there was an edge to it too. Arsenal picked up all four bookings but there were guilty parties on both sides.

It had been a half of hard work for Wenger’s men. One in which the statistics showed they had enjoyed just 30 per cent of the possession.

However, it seemed that they had got through unscathed.

Then, three minutes into injury time, Messi struck.

Fabregas gave the ball away just outside the area. Andreas Iniesta collected and fed the Argentinean 12 yards out on the right of the area. He controlled it with one touch, flicked it up with another and managed to retain sufficient balance to hook it home with a third.

It was a wonderful finish but a body blow for Arsenal.

The visitors did not seem to have shaken the late goal from their system in the opening stages of the second half.

The game began, as it had ended, with Barcelona entrenched in the Arsenal half looking for openings.

However, Wenger had talked about the importance of belief pre-game. And it was that which grabbed a goal eight minutes in the second half.

Surrounded by three Barcelona players, Nasri won a corner on the left. Van Persie took it and, although Diaby went for it, the ball went into the net off the head of Busquets.

For perhaps the first time tonight, the Nou Camp was quiet. Except, of course, for a pocket of Arsenal fans right at the top of the stadium.

The tie was back in Arsenal’s hands.

But, after Villa’s stumbling shot was blocked, the pendulum swung back towards Barcelona.

Van Persie played on after the whistle had blown and took a shot on goal. Referee Massimo Busacca deemed it to be kicking the ball away and, effectively, time wasting.

He brandished a yellow card, the second of the night for the Dutchman, and he was off.

Villa went close again and Alves fired over. The red card had put the bit between Barcelona’s teeth. They had re-doubled their efforts and were asking serious questions of the Arsenal defence.

In the 66th minute, Messi sent Villa through but Almunia blocked well with his body.

But Barcelona had worked up a head of steam once more and that pressure would bring two goals in the three minutes. It was double damage from which Arsenal would not recover.

In the 69th minute, Iniesta sent Xavi through and he tucked away a shot past Almunia.

Shortly afterwards, Koscielny tripped Pedro and Messi scored from the spot.

Wenger brought on Nicklas Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin in search of a goal. But Barcelona still looked the more likely to score.

Almunia blocked once from Messi and twice from Ibrahim Afellay. Then with five minutes left, Alves went clear but somehow stuck a shot past the far post.

There was a sniff of a chance for Arsenal late on when Wilshere, their stand-out player on the night, fed Bendtner in the area. But the stretching Dane could not quite convert and keeper Victor Valdes smothered the ball.

It was a half-chance, a stolen moment but typical of the ones Arsenal needed to convert in order to qualify.

The whistle blew shortly afterwards.

Arsenal were out but with more honour than last season.

Barcelona 3 - 1 Arsenal - Match Report

 

Arsenal are out of the Champions League.

The challenge came unstuck once again at Barcelona and once again at the feet of Lionel Messi.

The Argentinean maestro opened the scoring in first-half injury time and fired home the tie-clinching penalty in the 71st minute.

Inbetween those goals, Arsenal equalised when Sergio Busquets nodded into his own net and were then reduced to 10 men when Robin van Persie received a second yellow card for playing on after the referee has blown.

It was a highly controversial dismissal and it made the difference on the night. Xavi Hernandez levelled the tie soon afterwards and, a couple of minutes later, Messi’s penalty clinched qualification for the Spanish champions.

The statistics will support this result. Barcelona had two-thirds of the possession, far more shots, more corners, more everything. But that was always likely to happen.

Arsenal knew they had to perform wonderfully well to knockout the tournament favourites and have the key moments go their way.

Neither happened this evening but they pushed Barcelona harder than they had 12 months ago when Messi had scored all four goals in a tie that was dead at half-time.

This is disappointing but, yet again, Arsenal suggested they are stronger than last season.

And while this door has closed, their season is still alive.

The fitness of Van Persie had not even been mentioned by Wenger when he spoke to the media on Monday morning. It was ‘a given’ he was out with the knee injury sustained in the Carling Cup Final.

A few hours later he was on the plane to Spain.

On Tuesday evening he started up front.

Cesc Fabregas returned from the hamstring injury he collected against Stoke a fortnight ago to captain the side. Abou Diaby was chosen to fill the role left by the absence of Alex Song (knee).

Arsenal held that slender lead from the home game. But Barcelona had an away goal, an array of world-renowned talent and the backing of a noisy Nou Camp.

An injury-hit Arsenal had perished here last season after a Messi masterclass.

They were odds-on to go out again but this vintage seemed a little stronger than 09/10. However, this was the ultimate test.

The opening stages were cagey. Laurent Koscielny blocked Pedro as he prepared to shoot and held off Messi after he pounced on a misplaced pass from Johan Djourou.

The ball bounced out to David Villa but Jack Wilshere slid in to scoop away his low cross.

It was hardly pressure. But, as we approached the quarter-hour, Barcelona were taking control.

Arsenal had done little attacking while the home side were starting to chip away at the visiting defence.

In the 16th minute, Koscielny hauled down Pedro and was booked. Daniel Alves hammered the free-kick goalwards and Wojciech Szczesny gathered.

The Polish keeper immediately threw the ball out and called from treatment for what appeared to be a hand injury. He could not carry on and Manuel Almunia replaced him.

Now, the game was being played in the Arsenal half and that was no good at all for the long-term health of that one-goal lead.

It was no surprise that the chances started to flow.

Fabregas gave the ball away in midfield, Messi darted through but was dispossessed and Pedro curled an effort wide.

Just past the half-hour, Messi weaved beyond Djourou, Koscielny and Gael Clichy only for the Swiss defender to recover and hack the ball away as he looked set to score.

This was nothing more than we had expected. Barcelona were always going to have most of the ball and Arsenal were going to have to grab what they could on the break.

But it was still a strain.

Villa escaped from Djourou and slid a lame shot towards Almunia but, in the 35th minute, left back Adriano reached the byline and, from the tightest of angles, thumped a shot against the outside of the near post.

This had been billed as a battle between the best two footballing sides in the world but there was an edge to it too. Arsenal picked up all four bookings but there were guilty parties on both sides.

It had been a half of hard work for Wenger’s men. One in which the statistics showed they had enjoyed just 30 per cent of the possession.

However, it seemed that they had got through unscathed.

Then, three minutes into injury time, Messi struck.

Fabregas gave the ball away just outside the area. Andreas Iniesta collected and fed the Argentinean 12 yards out on the right of the area. He controlled it with one touch, flicked it up with another and managed to retain sufficient balance to hook it home with a third.

It was a wonderful finish but a body blow for Arsenal.

The visitors did not seem to have shaken the late goal from their system in the opening stages of the second half.

The game began, as it had ended, with Barcelona entrenched in the Arsenal half looking for openings.

However, Wenger had talked about the importance of belief pre-game. And it was that which grabbed a goal eight minutes in the second half.

Surrounded by three Barcelona players, Nasri won a corner on the left. Van Persie took it and, although Diaby went for it, the ball went into the net off the head of Busquets.

For perhaps the first time tonight, the Nou Camp was quiet. Except, of course, for a pocket of Arsenal fans right at the top of the stadium.

The tie was back in Arsenal’s hands.

But, after Villa’s stumbling shot was blocked, the pendulum swung back towards Barcelona.

Van Persie played on after the whistle had blown and took a shot on goal. Referee Massimo Busacca deemed it to be kicking the ball away and, effectively, time wasting.

He brandished a yellow card, the second of the night for the Dutchman, and he was off.

Villa went close again and Alves fired over. The red card had put the bit between Barcelona’s teeth. They had re-doubled their efforts and were asking serious questions of the Arsenal defence.

In the 66th minute, Messi sent Villa through but Almunia blocked well with his body.

But Barcelona had worked up a head of steam once more and that pressure would bring two goals in the three minutes. It was double damage from which Arsenal would not recover.

In the 69th minute, Iniesta sent Xavi through and he tucked away a shot past Almunia.

Shortly afterwards, Koscielny tripped Pedro and Messi scored from the spot.

Wenger brought on Nicklas Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin in search of a goal. But Barcelona still looked the more likely to score.

Almunia blocked once from Messi and twice from Ibrahim Afellay. Then with five minutes left, Alves went clear but somehow stuck a shot past the far post.

There was a sniff of a chance for Arsenal late on when Wilshere, their stand-out player on the night, fed Bendtner in the area. But the stretching Dane could not quite convert and keeper Victor Valdes smothered the ball.

It was a half-chance, a stolen moment but typical of the ones Arsenal needed to convert in order to qualify.

The whistle blew shortly afterwards.

Arsenal were out but with more honour than last season.

Wenger - Defence will be key in Nou Camp

Arsène Wenger knows that Arsenal will need a flawless defensive display to fend off Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Frenchman takes his team to the Nou Camp this week for the decisive leg of a Champions League last-16 tie that his side leads 2-1 after a thrilling victory at Emirates Stadium last month.

Arsenal lost 4-1 in Barcelona last season to succumb 6-3 on aggregate in the Quarter-Finals but, on that occasion, Wenger was without two centre backs plus his strongest defensive midfielder, Alex Song.

Thomas Vermaelen will not be fit in time for Tuesday but Wenger should have more options this time and he thinks it could make the difference. Not that Arsenal will look to sit on their slender advantage.
"It will be very important for us to defend well because when you go to the most effective attacking team in the world, you want to have your best defenders available," he said.
"We will look to defend well and attack well. We are not a team that will refuse to attack, we know that.

"The challenge will be to find the right balance between having a team who can defend, as well as one that has a good opportunity, every time it has the ball, to go forward."

Wenger - Defence will be key in Nou Camp

Arsène Wenger knows that Arsenal will need a flawless defensive display to fend off Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Frenchman takes his team to the Nou Camp this week for the decisive leg of a Champions League last-16 tie that his side leads 2-1 after a thrilling victory at Emirates Stadium last month.

Arsenal lost 4-1 in Barcelona last season to succumb 6-3 on aggregate in the Quarter-Finals but, on that occasion, Wenger was without two centre backs plus his strongest defensive midfielder, Alex Song.

Thomas Vermaelen will not be fit in time for Tuesday but Wenger should have more options this time and he thinks it could make the difference. Not that Arsenal will look to sit on their slender advantage.
"It will be very important for us to defend well because when you go to the most effective attacking team in the world, you want to have your best defenders available," he said.
"We will look to defend well and attack well. We are not a team that will refuse to attack, we know that.

"The challenge will be to find the right balance between having a team who can defend, as well as one that has a good opportunity, every time it has the ball, to go forward."

Wilshere - Beat Barca and we can win it

Jack Wilshere will leave for Barcelona on Monday afternoon confident that Arsenal can not only reach the Champions League Quarter-Finals but also win the tournament.

The 19-year-old midfielder has shaken off the bruises from Saturday’s draw against Sunderland is expected to start at the Nou Camp. Wilshere outshone some of his most illustrious Barca opponents when Arsenal won 2-1 against Barca three weeks ago. He is confident his side can complete the job against the Spanish champions.

"We know we can beat Barcelona,” said Wilshere. “We did that at the Emirates. If we beat them again we know we have a good chance of winning the tournament.

"We will go there with confidence but realise we have to defend well and hit them on the counter-attack.

"If we get a goal, they will have to come at us but we can win there.

"We do not want to go to Barcelona looking for a draw. It will be an open game and we will create chances. We are looking to score and then see what happens.

"We have shown we have the character to come back from a goal down against the best team in the world and are going there with a massive amount of confidence.

"Hopefully, we will have Cesc Fabregas back. Cesc is massive. He is our captain, our leader and great on the pitch.

"They have a couple of players out. But we know they have got great players in Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, so we will have to defend well."

Wilshere - Beat Barca and we can win it

Jack Wilshere will leave for Barcelona on Monday afternoon confident that Arsenal can not only reach the Champions League Quarter-Finals but also win the tournament.

The 19-year-old midfielder has shaken off the bruises from Saturday’s draw against Sunderland is expected to start at the Nou Camp. Wilshere outshone some of his most illustrious Barca opponents when Arsenal won 2-1 against Barca three weeks ago. He is confident his side can complete the job against the Spanish champions.

"We know we can beat Barcelona,” said Wilshere. “We did that at the Emirates. If we beat them again we know we have a good chance of winning the tournament.

"We will go there with confidence but realise we have to defend well and hit them on the counter-attack.

"If we get a goal, they will have to come at us but we can win there.

"We do not want to go to Barcelona looking for a draw. It will be an open game and we will create chances. We are looking to score and then see what happens.

"We have shown we have the character to come back from a goal down against the best team in the world and are going there with a massive amount of confidence.

"Hopefully, we will have Cesc Fabregas back. Cesc is massive. He is our captain, our leader and great on the pitch.

"They have a couple of players out. But we know they have got great players in Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, so we will have to defend well."

Fabregas '90 per cent' for Barcelona tie

Cesc Fabregas is expected to pass a final fitness test on Monday morning and board the plane bound for Barcelona later the same day.

The Arsenal captain has been out with a hamstring injury since the 1-0 win over Stoke 13 days ago. Speaking before training on Monday, Wenger confirmed that Fabregas would be fit for the Champions League Knockout Round second leg if, as expected, he comes through a late examination.

Elsewhere there is mixed news. Jack Wilshere is fit after suffering a slight ankle injury against Sunderland but Alex Song (knee) is out.

“Fabregas will have a final test today,” said Wenger at his Monday morning briefing. “It is 90 per cent he will travel and be fit. It is vital for us because he is important in the transition between attacking and defending. He is also the leader of the team so we want him there.

“Alex Song  is completely out. He had a test on Sunday morning and it was negative. Wilshere will be fit.

“Everybody else who played on Saturday should be available.”

Fabregas '90 per cent' for Barcelona tie

Cesc Fabregas is expected to pass a final fitness test on Monday morning and board the plane bound for Barcelona later the same day.

The Arsenal captain has been out with a hamstring injury since the 1-0 win over Stoke 13 days ago. Speaking before training on Monday, Wenger confirmed that Fabregas would be fit for the Champions League Knockout Round second leg if, as expected, he comes through a late examination.

Elsewhere there is mixed news. Jack Wilshere is fit after suffering a slight ankle injury against Sunderland but Alex Song (knee) is out.

“Fabregas will have a final test today,” said Wenger at his Monday morning briefing. “It is 90 per cent he will travel and be fit. It is vital for us because he is important in the transition between attacking and defending. He is also the leader of the team so we want him there.

“Alex Song  is completely out. He had a test on Sunday morning and it was negative. Wilshere will be fit.

“Everybody else who played on Saturday should be available.”

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas hopes to return in time for the Champions League second leg against Barcelona

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas remains hopeful of being able to play a part for his side, when they take on Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League tie between the two sides.

The Spaniard fell prey to a hamstring injury during the game against Stoke City last month, which saw the 23-year-old having to sit out the Gunners defeat to Birmingham City in the final of the League Cup.

The north London outfit's boss Arsene Wenger has already ruled out the midfielder for the game against Sunderland on Saturday, but the World Cup winning footballers appears to have other plans - which in turn would see him regain fitness ahead of the clash against Barca.

"I am running, getting better and don’t sense any pain," Fabregas said, according to the Daily Mail.

"We’ll see how the next few days go. Perhaps I’ll have a chance for Saturday.

"We’ll take things day by day. I knew I had to come off [against Stoke]. I know when I can play. We have many games coming up so I couldn’t afford to stay on and lose three weeks rather than seven days."

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas hopes to return in time for the Champions League second leg against Barcelona

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas remains hopeful of being able to play a part for his side, when they take on Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League tie between the two sides.

The Spaniard fell prey to a hamstring injury during the game against Stoke City last month, which saw the 23-year-old having to sit out the Gunners defeat to Birmingham City in the final of the League Cup.

The north London outfit's boss Arsene Wenger has already ruled out the midfielder for the game against Sunderland on Saturday, but the World Cup winning footballers appears to have other plans - which in turn would see him regain fitness ahead of the clash against Barca.

"I am running, getting better and don’t sense any pain," Fabregas said, according to the Daily Mail.

"We’ll see how the next few days go. Perhaps I’ll have a chance for Saturday.

"We’ll take things day by day. I knew I had to come off [against Stoke]. I know when I can play. We have many games coming up so I couldn’t afford to stay on and lose three weeks rather than seven days."

We have beaten ‘the best side in football history’ - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas hails win over Barcelona

Cesc Fabregas believes that Arsenal have beaten the greatest team in the history of football, following their 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium.

The two sides met in the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night, and the Gunners went behind to a David Villa goal in the first half before sensationally coming from behind to snatch a victory.

Robin van Persie scored from a tight angle after 78 minutes to put the game back on level terms, while substitute Andrey Arshavin - who had come on for Alex Song - scored the winner five minutes later.

And despite the victory, the 23-year-old midfielder is keeping his feet on the ground, insisting that the tie is not over yet.

"They don’t lose many games," Fabregas said, according to The Mirror.

"They are the best side in football history, in my opinion.

"But we have only played half of this tie. It’s a nice compliment to us, but that’s all. We have closed the gap on them from last year. We are one year older, we have less injured players."

Arsenal 2 - 1 Barcelona - Match Report

You must beat the best to be the best - and Arsenal are right on course.

Two goals within five minutes deep into the second half of this exhilarating Champions League encounter turned the tide towards Arsène Wenger's side on Wednesday night.

Barcelona were brilliant in the first half. David Villa prodded them in front and throughout the 45 minutes they wove a wonderful tapestry of passes. As in the Quarter-Final first leg 12 months ago, Arsenal looked lost.

Little really changed in the second half until, 12 minutes from time, Robin van Persie crashed home a cross-shot from an incredible angle. In the 83rd minute, Samir Nasri set up substitute Andrey Arshavin to slot home the winner.

It was a stunning comeback and almost certainly Arsenal’s greatest victory at Emirates Stadium.

Remember Barcelona's record-breaking run of 16 straight wins in Liga had only ended at the weekend. And this was only their second meaningful defeat of the season. Barcelona were reputed to be the best team in the world and they were bang in form.

Wenger’s men still have a mammoth task on their hands at the Nou Camp in three weeks time. But they now know they can battle with the best and win.

If they can complete the job in Barcelona, then who knows what they can do.

All eyes were on Arsenal’s No 8 pre-match. When the team-sheets came out Samir Nasri was listed in the team and not on the bench. It was his first appearance since limping off with a hamstring injury against Huddersfield on January 30.

The only other change was enforced. Bacary Sagna was suspended after his dismissal in the final minute of the final group game back in December. Emmanuel Eboue took up the right back role.

Emirates Stadium was a sea of flags as the two teams came out. The Club had put one on every seat and, as usual, the crowd responded wonderfully.

Arsenal may have played Barcelona in last season’s Quarter-Final but the novelty, nor the excitement, had worn off.

This was simply massive.

The early moments were more frantic than finessed. Everyone expected a reprise of that toe-to-toe slugfest last season – except this time the hope was that Arsenal would not take all the early punches squarely on the chin.

And they did not. In fact, they bossed the opening 10 minutes.

Theo Walcott was the spearhead. He sprinted through the midfield in the fourth minute before trying to set up Van Persie on the right of the area. The Dutchman was wrongly called offside.

Then the winger cut in from the right and a Fabregas chip found Van Persie momentarily free at the far post. The Dutchman hooked his shot goalward but Victor Valdes blocked.

Barcelona had been quiet until now. But having dampened Arsenal’s early spark they started to press and hold a higher defensive line.

It soon produced a clear chance. In the 15th minute, Lionel Messi was released by Villa to go one-on-one with Wojciech Szczesny. The little maestro clipped his shot past the keeper but it drifted inches past the far post.

The chance was a reminder of Barcelona’s quicksilver capabilities – like anyone needed one.

By now the visitors had snatched control. Villa whipped in a dangerous cross from the right, Messi chipped a shot into the hands of Szczesny. Arsenal were giving the ball away and struggling to hold them off.

The home side needed a release – and, in the 25th minute, Walcott found them one.

After a Barcelona attack broke down, he sprinted clear and, with the visitors stretched, found Fabregas on the right of the area. His cross seemed destined for the head of the unmarked Van Persie at the far post only for Eric Abidal to nod the ball clear at the last second.

It was Arsenal’s best chance but it did not stem the tide. Quite the opposite in fact.

In the 26th minute, Messi scuttled past Alex Song in midfield and split the Arsenal defence to release Villa. The striker tucked away a simple shot through the keeper’s legs.

Arsenal had been picked apart.

The striker nearly grabbed an immediate second when Daniel Alves found him at the near post. Somehow Arsenal smuggled the ball away.

But Barcelona’s high line did leave them liable to the counter-attack when, on the rare occasion, they lost the ball. There was one example on the half-hour when Jack Wilshere, Arsenal’s best player on the night, strode forward to set up Van Persie. The Dutchman slashed his shot wide.

However these were snatched opportunities. Barcelona were bullying Arsenal with their passing, pressing and movement.

Seven minutes from the whistle, Messi bundled home a close-range header from Pedro’s pass. Thankfully he was flagged offside.

At half-time, there was a strange comparison to make with last season’s game.
Arsenal had been more over-run 12 months ago but this time they were trailing and, on the balance of play, it might have been worse.

Wenger clearly roused his side at the interval because they were better immediately after the restart. Wilshere had an effort saved by Valdes and Van Persie fired over. Territorially Arsenal were on top but they were not creating too much.

This time, it was Barcelona who were playing on the break. In the 56th minute, Pedro went clear and tumbled under the challenge of Koscielny. If it was a penalty then it was a red card too and, probably, game over.

Replays fully justified the referee’s decision to wave play on. Like Wilshere, the Frenchman had an immaculate night.

Nasri’s low cross towards Van Persie at the near post was slid away from danger at the last second.

However, we reached the midway point of the second half, Barcelona were once again turning the screw. Messi danced through only to see his shot blocked. Eboue returned the ball immediately to Andreas Iniesta who slid the Argentinean into space on the left of the area. He could only find the sidenetting.

In the 68th minute, Wenger withdrew Song for Arshavin. It was an attacking move but the Cameroonian had been on a knife-edge since receiving a yellow card in the first five minutes and Arsenal were struggling with 11 men let alone 10.

Nicklas Bendtner came on for Walcott 10 minutes later.

The game seemed to be drifting to its conclusion now. Barcelona were happy enough with 1-0 and Arsenal were struggling create anything close to a clear-cut chance.

Then lightning struck.

Gael Clichy clipped a nonchalant ball to Van Persie on the left-hand byline. The angle was impossibly acute and Gerard Pique was on patrol. However Vales had drifted away from his post and the Dutcman let fly. The ball kissed the near post and flew just inside the far. Stunning.

Like last year, an Arsenal goal suddenly belittled Barcelona. The home side flew into their task and, five minutes later, lighting struck again.

Nasri flew down the right and, with Barcelona undermanned, he showed sufficient poise to settle himself and pick out Arshavin at the far post.

Cool as you like, the Russian found the far corner.

Bendtner saw an angled shot batted away by Valdes. Szczesny saved similarly from Pedro at the other end.

The home held their nerve for a famous win. Barcelona were the more beautiful side on the night but Arsenal had the victory.

This was a turnaround in every sense.

Roll on the return leg.

No complaints, Arsenal in ideal condition

Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal are in ‘ideal condition’ to face Barcelona on Wednesday.

Last season, the Frenchman had a number of injury worries going into the Champions League Quarter-Final first leg against the Spanish champions. Two of those, Andrey Arshavin and William Gallas, started the game but had gone off injured by the start of the second half. They missed the return rubber, along with Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song, and Arsenal were subsequently knocked out 6-3 on aggregate.

This year, however, the London side are in a different position. The treatment table is relatively clear, with Samir Nasri even set to return for Wednesday’s Knockout Round first leg tie at Emirates. Meanwhile confidence is high as Wenger’s men continue to gun for four trophies.

“The only thing I can say is we are in an ideal condition to face them,” said the Frenchman. “We cannot complain. We have the belief, the confidence and the players available. We are 90 per cent in February and that was not the case last year. I feel we are in an ideal position to face them.”

But despite being well-beaten over the two legs last season, Wenger baulked at the word ‘revenge’ in his pre-match press conference

“We just want to show how good we are,” he said. “We want to show the belief we have in our game, in our quality, more than looking at the past.

“We have practiced. We are determined, focused and we want to win this competition. We know we face the super-favourites of this competition but the only way to do it is to knock them out."

Nasri back in the squad, Rosicky returns too

Samir Nasri is in the Arsenal squad for the Champions League tie with Barcelona on Wednesday - but he may not start.

The French midfielder has been missing since injuring his hamstring against Huddersfield a fortnight ago. He is back quicker than expected and trained on Tuesday afternoon. However, after the session, Arsène Wenger was still cautious about re-introducing one of his most influential players this season.

“Samir is in the squad,” said the manager. “But the starting line-up will be decided tomorrow.

"He's recovered quicker than expected. I said it will be 21 days but it will be only 17 days. Everybody's absolutely adamant that he's completely medically available. It's down to me to make the decision.

"I will take no medical risk but it's good to have him in the squad.”

Elsewhere, Wenger has one midfielder out and one back.

“Rosicky is available,” said the Frenchman. “He's in the squad. But there's no Diaby. He has a calf problem. He did it with the French national squad against Brazil.”

Bacary Sagna is suspended after his sending off in Arsenal’s final Group H game against Partizan Belgrade. Emmanuel Eboue is expected to deputise at right back.

Arsenal's Abou Diaby: I would like to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has confessed that he would like to play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona at a later stage in his career.

The French star was speaking to Don Balon about the prospect of facing Barcelona in next week’s Champions League last 16 tie, and said that he would eventually like to compete for a place at one of Spain’s big two.

He stated: “At some point I would like to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid, but I would prefer to play for Barca, because I prefer their style.”

Diaby also stated, however, that he is desperate to exact revenge on the Camp Nou giants for last year’s quarter-final defeat.

He continued: “We played them last season, and we found them at their highest degree of effectiveness, both individually and collectively. This year will be the same, so we know what to expect. Barca are a great team, and this year they are very strong.”

Finally, he understandably pinpointed Lionel Messi as the Spanish champions main man, but insisted that Arsenal could not afford to focus solely on him.

He concluded: “Messi is the best in the world. We all know that the Argentine is a great player who can make the difference at any time, but we cannot focus only on him.”

The 24-year-old midfielder last year revealed his hopes of winning the Ballon d'Or, while last week Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira hinted that he could follow in his footsteps and lead the London club and his country to glory.