Champions League: Arsenal – Barcelona

01. Arsenal players celebrate a goal against Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match in London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

Last night two of Europe’s best footballing teams played each other in the first leg of their Champions League second round tie. Arsenal and Barcelona gave the neutral fan a true footballing show. Barcelona played amazingly quick one touch football, while Arsenal never gave up and kept playing their own game, when they could. Barcelona forgot to finish off the game and this gave Arsenal a chance to equalise and even score a winning goal. A great night for football and let’s hope the return game on March 8th in Barcelona’s Nou Camp will give us the same thrils.

02. Arsenal's Robin van Persie (R) kicks the ball against Barcelona's Gerard Pique during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

03. David Villa of Barcelona celebrates scoring against Arsenal during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

04. David Villa (R) of Barcelona celebrates scoring against Arsenal with team mate Lionel Messi during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

05. Jack Wilshere of Arsenal controls the ball in front of Andres Iniesta of Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

06. Alex Song (L) of Arsenal challenges Lionel Messi of Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

07. Wojciech Szczesny (L) of Arsenal dives for the ball as team mate Laurent Koscielny and David Villa of Barcelona jump during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

08. Alex Song of Arsenal tackles Lionel Messi of Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

09. Arsenal's Robin van Persie (below) fights for the ball against Barcelona's Lionel Messi during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

10. Johan Djourou of Arsenal reacts during his team's Champions League soccer match against Barcelona at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

11. Arsenal's Robin van Persie (R) is seen as Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola (L) points to the field during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

12. Gael Clichy of Arsenal and Daniel Alves (L) of Barcelona jump for the ball during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

13. Robin van Persie (L) of Arsenal shoots past Gerard Pique of Barcelona to score during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

14. Robin van Persie (L) of Arsenal shoots past Gerard Pique of Barcelona to score during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

15. Robin van Persie of Arsenal celebrates scoring against Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

16. Robin van Persie of Arsenal celebrates scoring against Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

17. Robin van Persie of Arsenal celebrates with manager Arsene Wenger after scoring against Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

18. A fan sits amongst Arsenal flags before the start of the team's Champions League soccer match against Barcelona at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

19. Emmanuel Eboue of Arsenal takes a throw-in as his manager Arsene Wenger signals to players during their Champions League soccer match against Barcelona at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

20. Barcelona's manager Pep Guardiola reacts during their Champions League soccer match against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

21. Arsenal's Jack Wilshere (R) challenges Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

22. Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin (R) and Nicklas Bendtner (2nd R) celebrate a goal as Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes (2nd L) and Maxwell (L) reacts during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

23. Andrey Arshavin of Arsenal celebrates after scoring against Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

24. Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin (C) celebrates a goal with teammates during their Champions League soccer match against Barcelona at the Emirates stadium in north London February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

25. Andrey Arshavin (L) of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Emmanuel Eboue after scoring against Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

26. Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas encourages his teammates during their Champions League soccer match against Barcelona at the Emirates stadium in north London February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

27. Arsenal's Robin van Persie (R) and Cesc Fabregas celebrate their victory against Barcelona at the end of the their Champions League soccer match in London, February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

28. Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts after missing a chance to score during their Champions League soccer match against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium in north London February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

29. (L-R) Xavi Hernandez, Seydou Keita, and Eric Abidal of Barcelona walk off the pitch after losing to Arsenal in their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

30. Arsenal's Robin van Persie (L), Cesc Fabregas (C) and Jack Wilshere celebrate their victory against Barcelona at the end of the match of their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea

31. Robin van Persie (R) of Arsenal celebrates with Cesc Fabregas (C) and Jack Wilshire after their Champions League soccer match victory against Barcelona at the Emirates stadium in north London, February 16, 2011.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh