Van Persie sent off as Arsenal crash out of Europe

Arsenal are now out of the Champions League after a 4-3 aggregate loss to Barcelona. The score on the night ended 3-1 as Arsenal had no shots throughout the entire match with the Gunners goal coming from an own goal through Busquets. However the tie was reduced to 11 v 10 as Van Persie was sent off for kicking the ball away. Arsenal fielded their strongest side possible with Fabregas and Van Persie coming back from injury while Rosicky was preferred to Arshavin. However in the Barcelona lineup they were missing their centre back pairing of Pique and Puyol so Adriano and Abidal came in.

The first real chance of the game came to Barcelona and a free kick from Dani Alves but it was saved by Szczesny. However he injured his finger in the process of saving the shot and Almunia came on to replace him.

Barcelona were dominating the early spells of the game and they almost took the lead on the night. Villa playing Adriano down the left who hit a shot which struck the post and came back out.

Van Persie was then booked for a challenge in which he brought down Dani Alves.

Then right before the break Barcelona took the lead on the night to level the tie. Fabregas gifting the ball to Iniesta who found Messi who then juggled the ball over Almunia and into the back of the net.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Barcelona.

7 minutes into the second half Arsenal got an away goal to make it 3-2 on aggregate. Nasri playing in the corner towards Diaby but he missed it and it came off the head of Busquets who put the ball into his own net.

Arsenal were then reduced to 10 men when Nasri played a ball up to Van Persie who was offside but he shot anyway. He was then shown his second yellow card of the game which meant he had to go.

Shortly after the sending off Barcelona took the lead again. A mazing run from Iniesta eventually finding Villa whose first time pass found Xavi who slotted the ball past Almunia to make it 2-1.

20 minutes from time the game looked to be sealed as Pedro was brought down inside the penalty area by Koscielny. Messi stepped up and scored comfortably for his second of the game.

Bendtner then had a brilliant opportunity to send the Gunners through but his first touch let him down and the chance was over.

The final score ended Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Adriano(89), Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Mascherano(88), Villa(81).
Subs: Pinto, Milito, Maxwell, Thiago, Keita(88), Afellay(81), Bojan.

Arsenal: Szczesny(19), Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Diaby, Wilshere, Nasri, Fabregas(76), Rosicky(73), Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia(19), Squillaci, Eboue, Denilson, Arshavin(73), Chamakh, Bendtner(76).

My man of the match: Manuel Almunia

Referee: Massimo Busacca (SUI)
Attendance: 95,000