Beating Barcelona offered glimpse of a future that never arrived for Arsenal

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere challenges Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the Champions League round of 16 clash at the Emirates, 10 years ago today. Picture: Shaun Botterill/Getty

Ten years ago tonight, Arsenal enjoyed one of their greatest results, delivering a performance that combined the swashbuckling elegance Arsene Wenger demanded with the defiance and resilience so often missing in the second half of the Frenchman’s 22-year reign.

This was the night Arsenal famously came from behind to stun a Barcelona team regarded by many as the greatest club outfit of the last 25 years, a Lionel Messi-inspired side who would go on to win a second Champions League in three years by delivering a final masterclass to humble Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley three months later. Arsenal’s 2-1 win over this galaxy of superstars at their peak was — and remains — their greatest night at the Emirates Stadium.