Source: Daily_Mail
Barcelona v Arsenal live
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Champions League as Arsenal look to avoid defeat at Barcelona to progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament. The Gunners only need a draw to go through but will be aware they are up against one of Europe's best sides. Email me your thoughts on the game at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk[LNB] Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal (7.45pm) Aggregate: 4-3 Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Busquets, Abidal, Adriano Correia (Maxwell 90+1), Xavi, Mascherano (Keita 88), Iniesta, Pedro, Villa (Afellay 82), Messi.Subs: Pinto, Bojan, Milito, Thiago.[LNB]Goals Messi 45+3 71, Xavi 69.[LNB]Arsenal: Szczesny (Almunia 19), Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Wilshere, Diaby, Rosicky (Arshavin 74), Fabregas (Bendtner 78), Nasri, van Persie.Subs: Denilson, Squillaci, Eboue, Chamakh.[LNB]Goals: Busquets OG 5[LNB]Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)[LNB]21.56: So Arsenal are out and that leaves three English teams and one north London side left in the competition...[LNB]Tomorrow, Tottenham host AC Milan and like Arsenal, know a draw will see them progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.[LNB]Check back for Sporstmail's coverage of that game but for now thank you for following and good night.[LNB]21.53: Reports suggest Arsene Wenger had a huge bust up with the referee after the game and Van Persie post-match was furious with his sending off:[LNB]It's a total Joke, how can I hear the referee's whistle over 95,000 people jumping up and down?[LNB]I tried to explain to him why i couldn't hear but he was was whistling against us all game. It's unbelievable'.[LNB]21.51: In the other last 16 clash tonight Shakhtar Donestk (who topped Arsenal's group) beat Roma 3-0 at home to progress 6-2 on aggregate.[LNB]Philippe Mexes was sent off for the Italian side who had a thoroughly miserable night.[LNB]21.48: In fairness though the stats say it all. Barcelona had 19 attempts at goal, Arsenal had none.[LNB]The hosts were much the better side and it seems Arsenal's poor form at the end of the group stage, that saw them finish second, has cost them big time.[LNB]21.45: Apparently there is a one second gap between when offside is called and Van Persie's shot, and his sending off made Arsenal's already difficult job of defending nigh on impossible.[LNB]21.43: Once again the Nou Camp is the last destination for Arsenal's Champions League hopes as they tumble out the competition.[LNB]Unfortunately we have to look at debatable decisions that ultimately changed the game.[LNB]Full-time: Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal (Barcelona win 4-3 on aggregate)[LNB]90+3min: Arsenal unsurprisingly go long ball but Wilshere's long punt fails to find Bendtner and Barcelona get the ball back...[LNB]90+2min: Keep ball from the hosts, this one looks over.[LNB]90+1min: And a final change as Maxwell is in for Adriano. Four minutes added on.[LNB]88min: Mascherano was injured in that tackle and he is replaced by Seydou Keita.[LNB]87min: And that could have been it! Wilshere manages to break past the Barca back line and a goal looks certain as he squares the ball for Bendtner.[LNB]But a combination of an on-rushing Valdes and a superb tackle sliding tackle from Mascherano deny the Dane, he really should score.[LNB] Back in front: Messi fires Barcelona ahead in the tie from the spot[LNB]85min: It's all Barcae but it only takes one break for Arsenal to win this tie, stranger things have happened but they are being given the runaround here.[LNB]83min: The sub nearly makes an instant impact but after running down the left, Djourou just puts him off enough as he flashes a shot across goal.[LNB]82min: Villa is off and Ibrahim Afellay is on for the hosts.[LNB]81min: Another superb stop from Almunia, Xavi chips a ball into the box and Messi's volley is well blocked again by the keeper. Although the Argentine is offside.[LNB]79min: Could have been all over then. Messi is the latest to find himself against Almunia but again the Spaniard is equal too it, no blaming him this evening by the way.[LNB]78min: Fabregas who has hardly had any impact on the game, is replaced by Nicklas Bendtner.[LNB]76min: Though I admit that is a big ask. If they commit too many forward at this stage they could get hit by a sucker punch. But they have to go all out at some point...[LNB]74min: A change for Arsenal as Andrey Arshavin is on for Rosicky.[LNB]It's not all over yet for the Gunners, if they score again they are through on away goals.[LNB]71min: GOAL! BARCELONA 3-1 Arsenal[LNB]The Gunners are falling apart, Koscielny blatantly trips Pedro inside the box and even from the penalty spot Lionel Messi shows trickery that leaves Almunia standing as he places his strike into the bottom corner.[LNB]70min: PENALTY (Barcelona)[LNB] All square: Xavi levels the tie for Barcelona on aggregate[LNB]69min: GOAL! BARCELONA 2-1 Arsenal[LNB]But there is just no stopping that. Iniesta and Villa link up brilliantly and the latter's pass through to Xavi is just genius with the midfielder calmly slotting past Almunia.[LNB]67min: Big moment that. Messi slips through Villa but once again an onrushing Almunia denies the Spaniard. If Arsenal pull this off it will go down as one of the great defensive displays.[LNB]66min: No panic from the hosts yet, they are still playing this dizzying passing football but Arsenal sitting very deep are doing their best to contain them.[LNB]63min: Arsenal look a bit leggy out there, the passes are not coming off and with Van Persie now gone, they have a mammoth task to keep the hosts out. Backs to the wall for the next half-an-hour folks.[LNB] Disbelief: Robin van Persie is sent-off for Arsenal[LNB]61min: Big let-off for Arsenal after Dani Alves inside the box fires miles over, you just sense it's a matter of time before Barca get another.[LNB]58min: Villa is once again denied by Almunia from close range and again have to scramble any potential rebound clear.[LNB]57min: By the rules he has no excuses, the striker is flagged for offside but after shooting is booked and thus is sent off for two yellow card offences.[LNB]Heprotests he didn't hear the whistle but it is a very soft sending off.[LNB]56min: RED CARD (Robin van Persie, Arsenal)[LNB]54min: Barca nearly hit straight back as Villa finds himself on-on-one with Almunia in the penalty box, but his first touch is poor and the keeper manages to block the shot before Arsenal scramble the rebound clear.[LNB] Back in it: Sergio Busquets (16) heads into his own goal to give Arsenal an equaliser[LNB]53min: GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 ARSENAL[LNB]Arsenal have not had a shot on target...and they still haven't as Nasri's corner is headed into his own net by Sergio Busquets! The Nou Camp has fallen very silent.[LNB]50min: And it's not long before they win another after Abdial's cross is deflected behind by Djourou, Arsenal manage to clear their lines though.[LNB]49min: More attacking intent already from Arsenal than in that entire first half but the counter effect of that is Barca look dangerous on the break.[LNB]A Messi mazy run is only halted as he reaches the six-yard box and the hosts win a corner.[LNB]46min: Little update on the Szczesny injury, reports suggest he has injured a tendon in his hand.[LNB]Second-half: Arsenal get us going again - no changes.[LNB]20.49: In terms of style I expect a much open second-half, I can't see Barcelona sitting back as much as Arsenal did. There is more goals on the way.[LNB]When was the last time Arsenal had only 32 per cent of possession in a game by the way?[LNB]20.46: Little update from Ukraine, Shakhtar are 1-0 up on the night and 4-2 up on aggregate.[LNB]Roma must score at least three times to stay in the tie.[LNB]20.43: That is going to be easier said than done too. Arsenal didn't have one shot in that half...on or off target.[LNB]In fact they hardly got anywhere near the Barcelona penalty box.[LNB]20.40: The score may be all-square but that strike means Barcelona edge this tie on away goals. Arsenal must score to stay in the Champions League.[LNB]Half-time: Barcelona 1-0 Arsenal[LNB] Genius: Messi produces a delicate touch to take it over Almunia before firing Barcelona into the lead.[LNB]45+3min: GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 Arsenal[LNB]Guess who? Lionel Messi is onside as he latches onto Iniesta's through ball and after he juggles the ball over Almunia, fires into an empty net. Brilliant skill but Fabregas made a suicidal back-heel in the build up that gave Iniesta the ball.[LNB]45+1min: Five minutes added on here and Van Persie is booked after shoving away it looks like Alves (will double check that).[LNB]45min: Tensions boiling over. Andres Iniesta is fuming after Wilshere goes down injured following a cleanly won tackle and both sides are exchanging some words...and not nice ones.[LNB]42min: Missed from my eyes at the time but replays have shown Clichy actually clatters into Messi right on the edge of the box at around the 25 minutes mark. The referee waved play on at the time but that is a certain penalty. [LNB]40min: All the drama is in the game in Ukraine. Roma's Marco Borriello has just seen his woeful penalty saved and Shakhtar still hold a two goal advantage.[LNB]39min: Free kick right near the corner flag for Barca after Clichy brings down Alves, Wilshere was indeed booked for the previous challenge.[LNB] Under pressure: Arsenal attempted to stop Messi (centre) from getting time on the ball[LNB]36min: Wilshere slightly lucky to get away with that as his studs are up as he fouls David Villa 25 yards out.[LNB]Moments earlier Adriano hit the post from an impossible angle with a rocket of an effort....not too sure Almunia had that covered at his near post.[LNB]34min: Another half-chance as Messi homes in on goal but Johan Djourou does just enough to put him off as his shot lacks any power to trouble Almunia.[LNB]31min: Wow the things Messi can do. To use a well known cliche the ball looks stuck to his foot as he waltzes through the a sea of yellow shirts, but just as he is about to pull the trigger Arsenal's defence clears.[LNB]29min: There is another booking for Arsenal after Bacary Sagna is booked for what looks like time wasting of all things.[LNB]28min: The hosts are getting closer, Arsenal just can't keep the ball and give it away again in their own half, the latest Barca move ending with Pedro lobbing over the bar.[LNB]26min: Even Barca can dish out the heavy tackles as Dani Alves manages to bring down Samir Nasri following a sliding tackle.[LNB]It looked a bit nasty that but on second views he cleanly wins the ball, top challenge.[LNB]25min: There has been a goal in the other last 16 clash, Shakhtar Donetsk have increased their aggregate lead against Roma to 4-2 after a Tomas Hubschman effort.[LNB] Gloves are off: Manuel Almunia (left) replaces the injured Wojciech Szczesny[LNB]22min: Could be a long night for Victor Valdes, he has hardly touched the ball and it is just constant Barcelona possession.[LNB]As far as organisation goes though it's been textbook from the Arsenal defence so far.[LNB]19min: Evidently he can't and Manuel Almunia, who has only played three FA Cup games since September, is on to replace him. No pressure son.[LNB]17min: Dani Alves hits the free-kick low and hard from 35 yards but Wojciech Szczesny comfortably takes the powerful strike that is straight at him...[LNB]...I say comfortably, he seems to have really hurt a finger making that save and the Arsenal physio is on see if he can work his magic Van Persie style.[LNB]16min: Barca really are testing Arsenal's defence here. Pedro's turn of pace gets the better of Koscielny who is booked for pulling the forward down.[LNB]13min: Ah there he is! Barca counter through the Argentine, but Koscielny does well to come across and steal the ball from him as he is about to shoot.[LNB]Barca win it back briefly but Xavi's cross is cut out by Wilshere, just as well too as David Villa was waiting unmarked.[LNB] Familiar face: Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano (centre) attempts to lose the attention of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere[LNB]11min: All the play is in Arsenal's half but aside from that Pedro half-chance, the hosts have not had a sniff of goal. I have barely noticed Messi.[LNB]8min: Home side with all the play so far but Arsenal are keeping them under wraps[LNB] I have seen many Spanish sides in La Liga be at sixes and sevens by this stage. Wenger will be pleased so far.[LNB]6min: First little glimmer from Arsenal. Tomas Rosicky briefly runs unchallenged down the right, but his low ball in the box is just to far ahead of Van Persie as it goes out for a goal kick.[LNB]4min: First ball over the top from the hosts and the fist chance.[LNB]Xavi chips in Pedro who briefly loses Laurent Kosielny before the Frenchman gets a block in as the striker shoots 18 yards out.[LNB]1min: Arsenal trying to press Barca all over the pitch and it results in an early free-kick as Gael Clichy trips Xavi near the halfway line.[LNB]Kick-off: Barcelona get us underway.[LNB]19.44: Barcelona's reserves are better than Jack Wilshere according to Barca coach Pep Guardiola.[LNB]I haven't seen Arsenal's young midfielder get stage fright yet and I don't expect it to happen now...Pep could be eating his words tonight.[LNB]19.41: Teams walk out the tunnel to a very much full Nou Camp, and here comes that famous music...[LNB]19.38: Some interesting insight from OptaJoe on why Van Persie may not be Arsenal's saviour after all...[LNB]1 - Robin van Persie has scored just one of his 14 Champions League goals (excl. qualifiers) away from home; that coming in 2007. Challenge.[LNB]19.35: Personally I think that Barca should and will win this match. They are playing at home so will be more comfortable playing the game.[LNB]With the likes of Messi, Villa and Iniesta they have to win, even though Arsenal are a good team the mighty Barca WILL WIN! Anon via email[LNB]Leave your name if you send your messages through please.[LNB]19.32: Some welcome back messages in the crowd for Fabregas. He may not play for Barcelona (yet) but the home fans still love him.[LNB]I can see him having a stormer, his face wears the expression of a kid at Christmas as he warms up.[LNB]19.29: Some pre-match reading for you as Sporstmail's Matt Lawton analyses why this is such a huge game for the Gunners.[LNB]19.26: Just a draw needed at the Nou Camp for the Gunners and it has happened before.[LNB]Back in a group stage match in 1999, Nwankwo Kanu cancelled out Luis Enrique's strike with nine minutes left to secure a point for Arsene Wenger's side.[LNB] Kan-u do it again? Arsenal will hope for a repeat result of their visit to Barcelona in 1999[LNB]19.23: Arsenal's hopes of knocking favourites Barcelona out of the Champions League are boosted by the inclusion of Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas for the second leg of their last 16 clash.[LNB]Holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg in north London, Arsenal had been sweating on the fitness of key striker Van Persie and captain Fabregas, who had been struggling with knee and hamstring injuries respectively.[LNB]However, both are fit to play and it is Barcelona who have availability issues.[LNB]With central defenders Carles Puyol (injured) and Gerard Pique (suspended) ruled out, left-back Eric Abidal and midfielder Sergio Busquets deputise.[LNB]19.20: As I say though, we will see how it pans out as I just can't see teams as attacking as this giving us a goalless draw.[LNB]19.18: So what are the possible scenarios tonight? I will keep it simple for starters.[LNB]Arsenal need a draw to progress while a 1-0 win for Barcelona will take the Spanish giants through.[LNB]The only score that can take this game to extra-time and beyond is 2-1 to Barcelona...got that?[LNB]19.15: Not just these two in action in the Champions League.[LNB]Shakhtar Donetsk host Roma in the evening's other last 16 clash with the Ukrainian side holding a 3-2 lead, I will keep you posted on major events in that tie as well.[LNB]19.12: Looking back on that first leg, Arsenal rode their luck at times thanks to some very uncharacteristic finishing (or lack of it) from Lionel Messi.[LNB]We at Sportsmail don't think he can play that poorly again, so we have gathered together five of his great strikes and a tiny reminder of what Arsenal could be facing.[LNB]19.09: Keep an eye on that Barcelona back line, no Carlos Puyol and no Gerard Pique means Sergio Busquets starts as centre-back. There is some chinks in that armour for Arsenal to exploit.[LNB]19.06: The full line ups:[LNB]Barcelona v ArsenalBarcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Busquets, Abidal,Adriano Correia, Xavi, Mascherano, Iniesta, Pedro, Villa, Messi.Subs: Pinto, Bojan, Keita, Milito, Maxwell, Afellay, Thiago.Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Wilshere,Diaby, Rosicky, Fabregas, Nasri, van Persie. Subs: Almunia,Denilson, Squillaci, Arshavin, Eboue, Chamakh, Bendtner.Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)[LNB]19.03: So Robin van Persie starts and so does Cesc Fabregas. Brilliant news from an Arsenal point of view, they need their superstars tonight. [LNB]19.00: Can lightning really strike twice? Last season Arsenal visited the Nou Camp in an attempt to grab a win that would take them to the semi-finals of the Champions League.[LNB]They left with their tails between their legs after getting hammered 4-1, but this time it's different, they only need a draw and their big guns are starting...[LNB]Team news:[LNB]Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Diaby, Wilshere, Nasri, Fabregas, Rosicky, Van Persie[LNB]Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Busquets, Abidal, Adriano, Mascherano, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, David Villa, Messi[LNB] We're Gunner be ready: Cesc Fabregas (right) is expected to lead Arsenal out at the Nou Camp[LNB] Forget about Barca... I'm here to win for Arsenal, vows Fabregas Second rate! Guardiola tells Wilshere he'd only make the Barca reservesAll the latest Arsenal news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Robin Van Persie, David Villa, Xavi, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, Pep Guardiola, Victor Valdes, Bacary Sagna, Johan Djourou, Andres Iniesta, Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin, Ibrahim Afellay Places: Barcelona, London, Switzerland, Europe
