Van Persie and Arshavin give Arsenal 2-1 victory

Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1. Late goals from Van Persie and Andrey Arshavin enabled Arsenal to come from behind and beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League clash at the Emirates last night. It was a pulsating match, and a priceless victory for Arsenal who have failed to beat the Spanish giants in all five of their previous Champions League encounters.

It also makes the return leg in Barcelona in three weeks' time a mouthwatering prospect, and Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas knows the Gunners must play even better than they did last night. "This is just one game,” he said of Arsenal's win. "If we don't go to the Nou Camp and do the same, it will be for nothing."
 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had promised before the last-16 tie that his side would play their natural game, and for the opening 10 minutes the visitors were chasing Arsenal passes as the Gunners started confidently. A delightful chip into the Barca area by Cesc Fabregas found Robin Van Persie, but Victor Valdes did well to block the Dutchman's strike.

Then Barcelona began to settle and stretch the hosts' defence. Twice Lionel Messi was sent clear, first by David Villa, then by Andres Iniesta, but both times the Argentine striker was uncharacteristically wasteful. But on 26 minutes Villa sprung the Arsenal offside trap and raced on to the end of a superb Messi pass to coolly slot the ball past Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal.

Arsenal were on the rack for the rest of the first half. Szczesny pulled off a brilliant reflex save to deny Pedro's neat flick at the near post and Messi had a header disallowed for offside though television replays suggested the goal was good.

After the break Arsenal continued their positive approach but with nothing to show for their creativity. Then on 68 minutes Wenger made the first of two tactical substitutions that would turn the game on its head. On came Andrey Arshavin for the disappointing Alex Song and immediately the presence of an extra striker began to tell. When Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner replaced Theo Walcott on 77 minutes, Arsenal's intent was clear and 60 seconds later they were level.

Gael Clichy found Robin Van Persie wide out on the left and the Dutchman, quiet up until this point, bounded into the penalty area. Barcelona forced him wide but not wide enough for Van Persie to spot that Valdes had left a glimmer of light at his near post. The shot from Van Persie was low and to the right of Valdes, just squeezing between the keeper and the post to give the Gunners their precious equaliser.

Five minutes later Arsenal were ahead when Nasri attacked down the other flank before pulling the ball back across the Barcelona box to Arshavin.  Not so long ago the Russian couldn't hit a barn door from six yards but now he rose to the occasion, curling the ball into the left-hand corner of the visitors' net for a goal that sent the Emirates – and his manager – wild.

"I am highly delighted. It was a special football night," said Wenger. "The game promised a lot and fulfilled that promise. It was two exceptional teams who tried always to be positive. Against Barcelona you are exposed many times when they have possession but we kept resilient and strong."
 
And though Wenger acknowledged that the Spaniards have home advantage in the return leg, the Frenchman said the victory will do wonders for his side's morale. "Barcelona are still favourites,” he agreed. "But we know now we can beat them. We didn't know that last year. It gives us a chance to go to Barcelona with belief." ·