As Barcelona prepare to meet Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League, we look at past meetings between the Blaugrana and the Gunners.
UEFA Champions League, Round of 16
2010-11 Season
First Leg: Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona
Barcelona came into the tie as heavy favorites, but Arsenal shocked many by winning the first leg at home. David Villa got first blood for Barcelona, and Lionel Messi should have extended the lead, but his goal in the 39th was wrongly disallowed. Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin struck late to give Arsenal a surprising 2-1 win. This was Arsenal's first - and so far only - win against Barcelona.
Second Leg: Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal
Barcelona played a brilliant match and completely dominated Arsenal, but the Gunners were resilient and nearly nicked it in the end. Messi was on target with a goal of the year candidate in first half added time, but a Sergio Busquets own goal allowed Arsenal back in front on aggregate. A controversial second yellow card for timewasting against Van Persie gave Barcelona a man advantage. Xavi Hernandez scored, followed by a Messi penalty which gave the Cules a deserved 3-1 lead, 4-3 on aggregate. Nicklas Bendtner almost sent Arsenal through on away goals, but a last-man Javier Mascherano tackle prevented a clear chance. Barcelona would go on to win the Champions League.
UEFA Champions League, Round of 16
2009-10 Season
First Leg: Arsenal 2-2 Barcelona
Barcelona dominated for much of the game, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic got a brace early in the second half to give Barça a 2-0 lead. But Arsenal fought back, first through a Theo Walcott goal to cut into the lead. Then, after Carles Puyol was sent off for a penalty on Cesc Fabregas, Fabregas himself was on target from the spot to make it 2-2.
Second Leg: Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal
The Gunners looked to have completed an improbable comeback as, 18 minutes into the second leg, Nicklas Bendtner's point blank chance was blocked by Victor Valdes, but Bendtner put in the rebound to give Arsenal a 3-2 aggregate lead. But then, Messi happened. First, smashing a long-range effort past the keeper to make it 1-1 on the night, and put Barça ahead on away goals. Then, making it 2-1, and 4-2 on aggregate, 10 minutes before halftime. And then chipping the goalkeeper to get his hat trick 4 minutes before the half. And with time expiring, Messi would get a fourth goal in one of the most memorable performances of a sterling career. This was, until today at least, the most lopsided victory for either side in history.
UEFA Champions League Final
2005-06 Season
Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal
Barça's first Champions League medal since their European triumph in 1992 came against the Gunners. Ludovic Giuly had the ball in the net for Barça, but the referee cancelled the action for an earlier foul by Arsenal GK Jens Lehmann. Though it was outside the box, it was judged to be a last-man foul and the keeper was sent off. Barcelona were a man up, but without a goal as Ronaldinho missed the free kick. Sol Campbell would improbably put Arsenal 1-0 up from a set piece. Barcelona would dominate possession, but the Gunners had chances on the counter, with Valdes forced into heroics to stop Thierry Henry from giving his side the victory. Frank Rijkaard's substitutes - Henrik Larsson, Juliano Belletti, and a young man named Andres Iniesta - would change the game. First, an Iniesta-to-Larsson-to-Eto'o move would end with Barcelona getting a long-awaited equalizer. Then, a Larsson pass into Belletti would end with the right-back scoring, and then, crying as he became the improbable hero for Barcelona.
UEFA Champions League, Group Stage
1999-2000
First match: Barcelona 1-1 Arsenal
The first official meeting between the sides ended in a draw at Camp Nou. None other than Luis Enrique opened the scoring in the 18th minute, but Nwankwo Kanu got a late equalizer for the Gunners. The draw was mutually beneficial, keeping Barcelona at the top of the group and Arsenal second.
Second match: Arsenal 2-4 Barcelona
Barcelona's first win against Arsenal occurred at Wembley Stadium in London. Rivaldo scored a penalty in the 14th minute, and Luis Enrique doubled the lead just a minute after. Arsenal would pull one back via Denis Bergkamp before halftime, however, Luis Figo and Philip Cocu would strike after the restart to make it 4-1. Marc Overmars would save Arsenal's blushes somewhat and make it 4-2 late on. Barcelona would go on to win the group, while Arsenal finished third and were dropped into the UEFA Cup.
Friendly Matches
Two friendlies were played between the sides in 1973 before any official match. The first ever meeting ended 1-0 in favor of Barça, with a goal from Juanito. It was arranged as part of a series of matches meant to help pay for the transfer of Johan Cruyff. The other match was a testimonial for Arsenal's George Hamilton. Barcelona won this match 3-1, in their only ever trip to Highbury.
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