(Getty)
Barcelona are favorites to win the Champions League for the second consecutive year, and this week they meet Arsenal in the highest-profile matchup of the Knockout Stage.
Barcelona, riding a 32-game unbeaten streak, have won three straight Champions League meetings with Arsenal. But Arsene Wenger his hinted that his team may really go for it, after losing at this stage of the competition the last five seasons.
Barcelona have their notorious M-S-N trio, but Arsenal will be bringing a dynamic attack of their own. The team never had the quality of Alexis Sanchez, Ozil and Giroud up front in their last five exits.
The problem with Wenger’s aggressive approach is that Arsenal have been miserable at the Emirates during Champions League recently. They’ve suffered two-goal losses at home in the Knockout Stage for the past three seasons, most recently a surprise 3-1 defeat to Monaco.
Today’s match marks the start of a critical stretch in Arsenal’s season. Still alive in FA Cup and a contender for the title, the Gunners face Tottenham and Manchester United in addition to an FA Cup Replay, all in the next three weeks before the return leg at Camp Nou.
Check back for info and video highlights from throughout the match:
FINAL
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 2
Arsenal lose at home in this stage of Champions League for the fourth straight year, as they fall to Barcelona. Messi proved to be the difference in the second half, as the Argentine scored both goals, even drawing the penalty for the second. Arsenal had their chances, but eventually their aggression was their downfall, as Barcelona’s counter separated the teams in the second half.
Arsenal have a ton of work to do March 16 at Camp Nou.
83′
GOAL!
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 2
Messi converts a penalty, and it’s a familiar sight for Arsenal fans. They are down two away goals again, as the passing and speed of Barcelona proved overwhelming in the second half.
Flamini comes on the pitch and immediately gives Messi a penalty kick.
GG.
Messi again! He sends home the penalty kick and Barcelona takes a 2-0 lead over the Gunners.
77′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 1
Suarez hits the post! Arsenal are trying to push forward to equalize, but it’s leading to devestating counters at the other end. This time Neymar looked to have the scoring angle, but his deflected shot fell to Suarez, whose near post shot went off the post and out.
Luis Suarez hits the post! Should be 2-0! #UCL
75′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 1
Substitutions for Arsenal, as Barca have slowed down the game since scoring.
71′
GOAL!
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 1
Barcelona get on the break, and it’s a wide open chance for Neymar and Messi. Neymar’s run pulled the final two defenders away, leaving the world’s best scorer with a wide-open net.
65′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
Chances at both ends! A bouncing ball gets deflected several times in Barcelona’s box, followed by a near-miss from Neymar at the other end.
I have to say this is far better than what I expected from Arsenal, on both ends
56′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
Chance for Giroud, but Arsenal are unable to finish. It’s a great save by Ter Stegen, as both goalkeepers have been outstanding tonight.
Another chance for Arsenal! Giroud’s initial shot is blocked before Ter Stegen pushes away the striker’s header 0-0 (60) #AFCvFCB
SAVE, Ter Stegen! The Barca ‘keeper gets down well to deny Giroud’s downward header. Still 0-0. #UCLonFOX #UCL t.co/H1kAGsWorf
56′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
Barcelona getting aggressive. Arsenal is still having some success on the counter, but the chances are becoming more sporadic.
50′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
Oxlade-Chamerlain went down in the before halftime, but came out and tried to play through the pain for the second half. Five minutes later he’s off, and Theo Walcott has a chance to make an impact on this game.
Substitution: Theo Walcott comes on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 0-0 (50) #AFCvFCB
48′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
Barcelona went the entire first half without recording a shot, but they got an early chance in the second half. Neymar broke free on goal but was turned away by a charging Cech.
49: Save by Cech! Neymar clean through but he hits his shot straight at the keeper #ArsenalFCB #FCBlive (0-0)
HALFTIME
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
Arsenal will be pleased with a scoreless game at the break, as Barcelona started to ramp up the pressure late in the half. Late chances from Neymar and Suarez almost opened the scoring, but Arsenal were able to hold on until the whistle. It was an otherwise successful half for Arsenal, who had solid chances on goal while limiting Barcelona to minimal chances in the opening 30 minutes.
Suarez has the best chance of the half before the break, heading wide from a few yards out. Wenger will be happy with that 45 #AFCvFCB
HALF TIME: A cagey first half sees #ArsenalFCB locked together at 0-0 in London #FCBlive
36′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
It’s end to end with bodies flying, but no goals yet at Emirates. Our pick to score first Luis Suarez got his first chance in the Arsenal area but was smothered by a charging Cech.
2 – Barcelona have touched the ball just twice in the Arsenal box in the opening 30 mins (Arsenal have had 11 in Barca’s). Tamed. #AFCvFCB
Arsenal have been happy to surrender possession and catch Barcelona on the break so far 0-0 (40) #AFCvFCB
22′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
Arsenal got their best chance so far but were unable to capitalize. Great movement put numbers into the Barcelona box, and Bellerin was able to take a strike on goal. The shot was deflected by a wall of Barcelona defenders, but the ball fell to Oxlade-Chamberlain at point-blank range. The shot was direct, and held safely by Ter Stegen.
Huge chance for Arsenal! Bellerin’s deflected strike falls to Oxlade-Chamberlain but his shot is held by Ter Stegen 0-0 (23) #AFCvFCB
Close! Giroud sees his effort saved by Ter Stegen from point-blank range. #UCLonFOX #UCL t.co/LtGXwHlpna
20′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
Barcelona have slowed down the tempo now. The Emirates responds with loud cries of “Come on Arsenal!” 0-0 (15) #AFCvFCB
0′
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 0
KICK-OFF: Alexis and Giroud get us underway in north London. COME ON YOU GUNNERS! 0-0 (1) #AFCvFCB
PREGAME
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Eastern and US users can watch the match on Fox Sports 1. Check out the starting lineups for both teams here.
