Arsenal were valiant but in the end no match for Barcelona, after a 2-0 loss against the Spanish giants in their first leg round of 16 clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The first half saw the visitors dominate possession, only for Arsenal to have the better chances.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring for the Gunners but his shot went straight at the goalkeeper.
READ MORE: Europa League a hindrance to Liverpool’s top four aspirations
After the interval Barcelona continued to pile the pressure on, however, it was again Arsenal who created clear-cut chances.
Marc ter Stegen made a crucial save to keep Olivier Giroud’s header out on the hour mark, as the home team continued to probe for a breakthrough.
However, on 71 minutes Arsenal was made to pay for committing too many men forward after a blistering counter-attacking move saw
Arsene Wenger’s strange substitution of Mathieu Flamini proved to be a horrid move with the Frenchman first challenge resulting in a foul on Messi in the penalty area.
The Argentine magician stepped up to the spot and deceived Petr Cech to give Barcelona two precious away goals and virtually put the tie to bed.
Here are some of the best reactions from Arsenal fans on Twitter:
Chamberlain’s miss so so costly. Welbeck should have started. Ramsey too. Really miss Cazorla. No winning at Camp Nou. Focus on league. #AFC
— Ibrahim (@IbrahimB_) February 23, 2016
It was looking pretty good for 70 minutes! Barcelona the better team, but if we’d been more clinical it could have been very different #AFC
— tuco (@tuco1968) February 23, 2016
82′ Flamini subbed on
83′ Flamini concedes a penalty#ARSFCB #UCLpic.twitter.com/pJQbKXd1nX
— Seçkin Uğur Demirci (@Seckin_sud) February 23, 2016
Worse thing about watching a barcalona game is the commentators kissing their arses #ARSFCB
— willis (@luckylukell) February 23, 2016
Has Piers Morgan started up the Wenger out campaign again yet? #ARSFCB
— Christopher Bloore (@ChrisBloore) February 23, 2016
Thanks to God it’s not a drubbing as many expected! We will go to Catalan as wounded animals in 3-weeks time #ARSFCB
— Richard Kwizera (@Muzungu4) February 23, 2016
Great change getting Flamini on. Have to question Wenger though, expecting a sub in a crucial position to be straight up to speed. #ARSFCB
— GillsRelated (@GillsRelated) February 23, 2016
We have just witnessed the difference between very good players and world class players. #ARSFCB
— Dahrick Sivam (@dahrick) February 23, 2016
Barcelona play poorly (by their high standards) and still win this comfortably. Devastating front 3 #ARSFCB
— Matt Barton (@MattBarton91) February 23, 2016
What has walcott done ever since he came in? #ARSFCB
— Lord of the Memes (@dejazimako007) February 23, 2016
We played well! Gave a good representation of ourselves, but we have to take those chances when we get them! We will bounce back #Arsenal
— Arsenal’s Vöice (@ArsenalsVoice) February 23, 2016
If we had an open goal, two yards out with no goalkeeper , we would still somehow miss it . Can’t score for love or money #arsenal
— Kwikky (@fit_kwik) February 23, 2016
Sanchez is so detrimental to Arsenal when trying to contain big teams. Breaks defensive ranks with needless pressing/ awful decisions #AFC
— Barry Rock (@BarryRock14) February 23, 2016
There’s proof it was Chelsea who helped Cech keep Messi out. Can’t buy the passion, determination and class our defenders used. #CFC #AFC
— Josh (@JTough1) February 23, 2016
Mertesacker living down to all my hype.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 23, 2016
So proud of that performance, great effort against the best side ever. Let’s focus on the league now. Big game at OT! #AFC #Arselona #UCL
— Christopher Tucker (@_Tucks) February 23, 2016
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
