Arsenal surge to stun Barca

Arsenal gave themselves a fighting chance of reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, coming from behind to stun favourites Barcelona 2-1 in a pulsating encounter in London.
Two goals in the final 12 minutes from Robin van Persie and substitute Andrey Arshavin clinched a dramatic victory for the English Premier League side after Barcelona had taken the lead through a first-half David Villa strike.
The result means Arsenal - thrashed 6-3 on aggregate by Barcelona in last year's quarter-finals will carry a narrow lead into Camp Nou when the two sides meet in the second leg on 8 March. The thrilling finale capped a superb encounter at the Emirates as arguably the two most stylish sides in Europe laid on a feast of attacking football.

"It was one of the special nights because I feel we needed to be a special team," said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. "It's open. We will go (to Camp Nou) and play our game again because you cannot just defend against this team. Our confidence will grow."
Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola said his team had been caught out by the speed of Arsenal's counter-attacking. "It was a fantastic game (with) many, many chances for both teams," Guardiola said. "We created more chances than last year. It's a pity, but we knew they're a very, very good team. On the counter-attack they're dangerous. But we have the second leg."
Arsenal started brightly and tested Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes after only five minutes, when a jinking run from Theo Walcott saw the ball transferred to Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area. The Spanish maestro flicked an exquisite pass to van Persie, whose angled half-volley from close range forced a good save from Valdes.
The threat of Lionel Messi was never far away however, and the Argentinian star drew a desperate challenge from behind from Alex Song after only seven minutes that earned the Cameroonian a booking. Arsenal were then given a huge let-off on 15 minutes when Messi was sent racing clear after an immaculate pass from Villa. The Argentine ace committed Wojciech Szczesny with a magical feint and beat the Arsenal keeper with a delicate dink, but the effort rolled just wide of the post.