Andrey Arshavin emerged from the bench to hand Arsenal a priceless 2-1 advantage in their Champions League last-16 clash with Barcelona.
David Villa had opened the scoring for the visitors in the first-leg of the tie at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium after 26 minutes with a neat finish following a sublime Lionel Messi through-ball.
Time looked to be running out for Arsenal until Robin van Persie slammed the hosts level with a fierce finish 12 minutes from time.
And the turnaround was complete in the 83rd minute when substitute Arshavin steered a neat strike past Victor Valdes after Samir Nasri’s cut-back.
The Gunners must defend their advantage in the Nou Camp in the return leg on March 8, but can now dare to dream of a quarter-final spot.
They dominated much of the first half and could have gone ahead through van Persie, but Valdes palmed away the Dutchman’s angled effort.
Barca replied with a chance of their own, but Messi inexplicably fluffed his lines when one-on-one with Gunners shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny.
But Villa made no mistake with a similar chance after 26 minutes, sliding a cool finish under the advancing goalkeeper to open the scoring.
Messi did have the ball in the net in the closing moments of the half but the linesman’s flag ruled out his close-range header.
Pep Guardiola’s side started to flex their muscles after the break but Messi was once again guilty of missing a clear-cut chance.
This time, the Argentine superstar slid his effort against the side netting when clean through after 67 minutes.
And Barca were made to pay for their profligacy just 11 minutes later when Van Persie restored parity.
The striker caught Valdes out with a rasping drive from an acute angle which somehow beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
The Emirates had barely finished celebrating the equaliser when Arshavin edged Arsene Wenger’s side ahead with seven minutes left on the clock, provoking delirious scenes among the home support.
The Russia star had crept up unnoticed at the back post and made no mistake from 15 yards after Nasri’s low cross.
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