Good evening and welcome to LIVE text commentary of the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash between Arsenal and Barcelona at Emirates Stadium. It's a daunting task for Arsene Wenger's men who will surely need to conjure up one of their best performances of the season to give themselves a chance of ending the Catalan side's 32-match unbeaten record. Keeping the MSN strike-force at bay will be top of Petr Cech's wish-list as the Gunners look to snare an advantage to take to the Camp Nou for the second leg on March 16. Arsenal lost to Barca over two legs in 2010 and 2011 - can they make it third time lucky in 2016? It's a mouthwatering prospect and all gets underway at 19.45 GMT.
Champions League / Last 16
Emirates Stadium / 23.02.2016
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- L. Messi(71', 83' PEN)
Live
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Updated 23/02/2016 at 21:37 GMT
- All
- Highlights
90+3'
FT: Arsenal 0-2 Barcelona. A late brace from Lionel Messi leaves the Gunners with a mountain to climb as their hopes of making the last eight appear to be in tatters. Oxlade-Chamberlain had a big first-half opening for the hosts but despite containing the visitors' MSN for long spells, they were themselves undone on the counter with 19 minutes to go. Messi then rubbed salt in the wounds with a confident late penalty to put Barca firmly in control of the tie.
90+2'
SAVE! Cech gets to firm hands on Neymar's header to tip it over the bar. That would have been 3-0 and curtains for the tie.
90+1'
Three minutes added as the home support make for the exits.
90'
89'
Barca knocking it about now, oozing the confidence to go with their class.
88'
VIDEO: Messi makes it two.
87'
Wenger got his gameplan right for a large part o this match, but late on his team were affected by the crowd's impatience and were made to pay on the counter.
86'
Pique booked for catching Welbeck with a late challenge. The defender will now miss the second leg.
85'
Barca have now converted nine of their 17 penalties this season.
84'
It's looking like another defeat at home by a two-goal margin in the CL last 16 for Arsenal.
83'
GOAL!!! Messi coolly fires the ball into the bottom left-hand corner with Cech diving in the opposite direction.
83'
PENALTY TO BARCA! Flamini makes a terrible first contribution as he hacks down Messi in the area.
83'
ARSENAL SUB: Coquelin off, Flamini on.
83'
VIDEO: The opener. Messi's moment.
82'
PHOTO: Messi magic.
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Image credit: AFP
81'
Barca trying to take some of the sting out of the game now with a bit of keep-ball.
80'
The game is so stretched now. Welbeck nods down for Ramsey who can't stretch enough to touch the ball beyond ter Stegen.
79'
Arsenal clinging on in the CL by the skin of their teeth there.
78'
It should be 2-0. Barca break with their front three once more. Neymar overdoes it in the area and sees his shot deflect back to Messi. The Argentine tees up Suarez who somehow crashes against the post from inside the six-yard box.
77'
What do Arsenal have in response?