Gunners turn on fireworks

BARCELONA arrived in London feted as the best team in the world, even by Arsene Wenger, but Arsenal’s astonishing, passionate and historic comeback to beat them 2-1 in the Champions League last night has left their crown wobbling and the Gunners daring to dream.

On an incredible night at the Emirates, Arsenal came from 1-0 down to win the last-16 first leg tie thanks to second-half goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin, leaving 60,000 home fans almost delirious with excitement.

That outcome was unthinkable when David Villa put the Spaniard’s ahead in the first half and the visitors reached 60 minutes having played an astonishing 200 more passes than their opponents; but this was the moment when Wenger’s side came of age and threatened to achieve their potential.

In the build-up to the game former Chelsea assistant manager and now television pundit Ray Wilkins described the Gunners as a ‘poor man’s Barcelona’, a harsh assessment but one which looked like being borne out by the facts as Pep Guardiola’s side dominated possession and provided memorable examples of how to play one-touch football in the opening period. But Arsenal’s passion, belief and determination, not to mention their own style of beautiful football, saw the poor men storm the castle and end up as winners.

The all-important equaliser didn’t arrive until the 78th minute when Gael Clichy’s through-ball sent van Persie racing away, and his near-post left-foot finish left Victor Valdes beaten and bemused in the Barcelona goal.

Even that would have been enough to keep Arsenal fans happy but when, with noise levels at the Emirates reaching fever pitch, substitute Arshavin scored a superb second it was as if north London had been transported into a parallel universe.

The goal was stunning; starting as it did in Arsenal’s own box with a ball from Wilshere to Fabregas, who swept a ball out to the right flank for Samir Nasri. The Frenchman waited and waited before passing low across the area for Arshavin to steer home from 18 yards.

For Fabregas in particular it was a sweet, sweet moment given the constant speculation he will one day return to his hometown club in Catalonia; and the hope for him, and for all Arsenal fans, is that this victory will be the catalyst that turns the team from nearly men into winners.

He hinted as much in his captain’s programme notes saying: “Barcelona are the best in the world right now but I think they are also an example of how to be patient. When I was there as a youngster, not so long ago, they didn’t win anything for five years. My friends Puyol and Xavi didn’t win anything until they were 26. Nothing. Not even a cup. They always remind me to be patient and it will come.”

Well Arsenal, and Cesc, have been very patient — and although there is a lot of hard work still to do to turn this first-leg win into an overall victory, maybe now they will get their rewards. Not that you would have predicted so in the opening stages as Barcelona produced a stunning performance to go 1-0 ahead.

Theo Walcott was dangerous for the home side and van Persie forced an early save from Valdes following an excellent move; but for every Arsenal attack there were several Barcelona raids.

Messi, these days playing central rather than on the wing, gave a taste of what was to come when he played an exquisite one-two with Iniesta and only just dinked his shot wide as Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny did well to stand tall until the very last second.

So when the goal eventually came, after 26 minutes, it was not great surprise, although Arsenal’s defence will wonder how they allowed it to happen. Messi did superbly to poke through a ball for the unmarked Villa, clearly onside despite protestations from the home team, and his finish was unerring.

Arsenal had to chase shadows for long periods after that, their cause not helped by an early booking for Alex Song which left him walking a disciplinary tightrope for the rest of the match. But perhaps they should have equalised when Wilshere sent van Persie through on the left, only for the Dutchman to waste an excellent opportunity after half an hour.

Arsenal somehow found a foothold in the second half, however. Van Persie conjured up the equaliser, driving the ball home low at the near post when Valdes clearly expected him to cross; and then came that dramatic and astonishing winner.

What a day for Arsenal and what night; it was almost as if the poor man’s Barcelona had just won the jackpot.

Subs for Arsenal: Arshavin for Song 68, Bendtner for Walcott; 77.

Subs for Barcelona: Correira for Iniesta 88, Keita for Villa 68.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy).