Arsenal v Barcelona - in pictures

In the quarter-finals of last season's Champions League, Arsenal came from two goals down to draw the opening leg against Pep Guardiola's side at The Emirates. The second leg was rather more forgettable for Gunners fans as Lionel Messi scored four goals in a rampant individual display. Not much chance of a goalless draw tonight then Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The Stadium begins to fill up before kick off. Arsenal can at least take some encouragement from the fact that Pep Guardiola's side have failed to win on the road in the Champions League this season despite their free-flowing play Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

The spot-light will be on Lionel Messi, more than anyone, tonight. He's scored 40 times in 35 games for Barcelona already this season Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The key man for Arsenal will doubtless be Cesc Fabregas. Their captain was born in Vilassar de Mar in Catalonia and, of course, schooled at Barcelona until his teens Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

Top marks for the banner from these youngsters. Wonder who was the brains behind it? Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

Barca's fans have travelled to The Emirates in large numbers tonight Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

The visiting stars, including Daniel Alves, Gerard Pique and Xavi, perform a curious warm-up routine Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

Out they come for the start of the match - Barca led by Xavi and Arsenal by Fabreags Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

A meeting of minds - Arsene Wenger and Guardiola embrace before kick off. Safe to say neither of them has urged their sides to stick ten men behind the ball tonight Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

It's not long before Messi is played through for the first significant chance of the match. The Argentinian waits for Szczesny to go to ground before dinking the ball over the goalkeeper, but the ball rolls inches wide of the far post Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

Jack Wilshere escapes the attentions of Iniesta Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

A rare sight tonight - a high ball prompting an aerial challenge between Gael Clichy and Dani Alves Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

Alex Song finds a way to deny Messi ... and earns a booking in the process Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

Barca's sleek passing soon creates another one-on-one opportunity, this time for David Villa, and the Spaniard strokes the ball under the keeper to put the visitors 1-0 up Photograph: Tom Jenkins at The Guardian

With Arsenal's resistance broken, Messi and his team-mates sense a second goal could be theirs Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But desperate defending keeps David Villa out Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Szczesny races from his line to deny Pedro Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Fabregas has words with the referee Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The second half is less fluid initially, but entertaining nonetheless. Emmanuel Eboue's height proves to be an asset as he hooks the ball clear of Iniesta Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

With 12 minutes remaining, Robin Van Persie catches everyone off-guard with a near-post strike which beats Victor Valdes Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Van Persie runs off in celebration, straight to the arms of Arsene Wenger Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The Dutchman hails the crowd as they voice their approval Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Gerard Pique brings his friend Fabregas to the ground with a late challenge. It's nothing to rival Mathieu Flamini's tackle on Vedran Corluka last night, though Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

In the 83rd minute, the substitute Andrey Arshavin is found by Samir Nasri during a stealthy Arsenal counter-attack Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arshavin curls his first-time effort goalwards ... and scores! It's 2-1 to Arsenal Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The Russian speeds away from Bendtner as he begins his celebrations Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

... while one of Barca's players sinks to his knees ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arshavin is soon swamped by his team-mates Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Arsenal's fans begin to celebrate before the match is quite finished Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Finally the whistle goes and Fabregas shows his pleasure Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Bet they didn't see that result coming? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

And nor did he. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian