Barcelona v Arsenal - in pictures

Worried, Arsene? After last year's trip to Camp Nou when his side were humbled 4-1, the Frenchman must be feeling a degree of trepidation. Lionel Messi was in devilish form that night scoring a hat-trick to eclipse Nicklas Bendtner's early strike. The difference tonight, of course, is that Arsenal have arrived in Catalonia clutching a 2-1 first leg advantage (last year it was 2-2) so the onus will be on Barca ... Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Even the two-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi, looks a touch apprehensive before kick-off Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Surprisingly, Arsenal's line-up includes both Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie - the latter having just recovered from a knee injury sustained in the Carling Cup final Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Van Persie finds himself in the thick of the action in the first half - though Sergio Busquets provides some resistance Photograph: Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport Pedro controls a piercing ball as Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny struggles to keep pace Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters Samir Nasri leaves Dani Alves on his backside as Arsenal launch a rare attack Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA In only the 19th minute, Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny injures his hand and is forced to go off Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images His replacement, Manuel Almunia, is helpless in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Messi nicks the ball over his head and volleys Barcelona into the lead. The decisive through-ball was played by Xavi, but it was Fabregas's careless back-heel which gave the hosts possession on the edge of the box Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images The Argentinian is congratulated by his team-mates. Barca now have the advantage in this tie courtesy of their away goal at The Emirates last week Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP Nonetheless, Barcelona can't help but search for another goal. Almunia is quick to deny them on a number of occasions in the second half Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images And when Sergio Busquets heads the ball into his own net from a corner in the 53rd minute, Arsenal are unexpectedly back in control Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP David Villa looks pained by the concession of such a comical away goal Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images Arsenal's ambitions hang precariously after Van Persie is shown a second yellow card Photograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images The Dutchman's second booking was harsh to say the least - the striker was penalised for this shot at goal made just one second after the referee had blown for offside Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Van Persie protests that he did not hear the whistle, but to no avail. Arsenal are down to ten men Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP Barcelona soon take advantage when Xavi completes a sweeping move by slotting the ball past Almunia Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images That move comprised no less than seventeen-passes. Barca now lead 2-1 on the night, making it all square on aggregate Photograph: Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images Andrey Arshavin and Andres Iniesta go head-to-head as tempers rise Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Just two minutes after Xavi's goal, a reckless challenge by Koscielny on Pedro leads to an inevitable penalty ... Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images ... which Messi scores in effortless fashion. Almunia couldn't even muster a dive Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP Still, Arsenal only need a goal to swing the tie back in their favour. In the closing stages Bendtner is given a glorious opportunity by Jack Wilshere who slides a teasing cross in his direction with the outside of his boot ... but the Dane's first touch is poor and the chance is stifled Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images It ends 3-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate, knocking Arsenal out of Europe. Nasri and Koscielny vent their anger at the referee before Wenger gives him an earful as they head to the dressing rooms. Wenger may feel aggrieved at Van Persie's red card, but Barcelona have been worthy victors over the two legs Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA