SCZESNY v VALDES

SCZESNY: TOTALLY exposed for the opening goal and he was absolutely furious with his defence.

Yet the rookie kept Arsenal in the game with some excellent saves. 7

VALDES: CAUGHT out by Van Persie's goal.

He was clearly expecting a cross - so left too much room at his near post. Did not have much chance for the second goal. 6

EBOUE v ALVES

EBOUE: DUE to a ban for Bacary Sagna, Eboue was lining up against the best player on this planet.

He did not disgrace himself against Messi.

But it was tough. 6

ALVES: PLAYED his part in the opening goal.

And defensively, he was good until the last 10 minutes when he was given a torrid time. 6

DJOUROU v PIQUE

DJOUROU: LUCKY escape when he appeared to handle in the build-up to Messi's disallowed goal.

But considering the pressure he was under, he held the line and made some decent tackles. 7

PIQUE: BOOKED and will now miss the return leg.

Showed great class and technique but he will be disappointed at failing to get near Van Persie for his goal. 6

KOSCIELNY v ABIDAIL

KOSCIELNY: UNABLE to get near to Villa for the opener and then appeared to grab Pedro inside the box.

Has improved of late and he also made some great blocks near the end. 7

ABIDAIL: IS becoming a major Nou Camp favourite since being switched to centre-half from full-back and you can see why.

The Frenchman was strong throughout. 7

CLICHY v MAXWELL

CLICHY: APPEALED in vain for offside for Barcelona's goal - yet it was the French ace who was playing Villa onside.

Wonderful pass set up Van Persie goal. 7

MAXWELL: WAS hung out to dry by Walcott in the first leg last year. The Barca left-back delivered an improved display although was troubled, at times, by Walcott again. 7

SONG v BUSQUETS

SONG: DELIVERED eight fouls in the first half, of which three should have been bookings. So was lucky to go in at the break with just the one caution. Did OK though. 7

BUSQUETS: WON the important midfield battle with Song, despite the best effort from the Arsenal star. Lost few battles in those key areas while his distribution was also good. 7

FABREGAS v XAVI

FABREGAS: THIS was an absolutely massive game for Cesc Fabregas and an intriguing clash against Xavi.

Fabregas struggled to impose himself for periods of the first half as Barca tore forward yet as the game progressed, he became more of a key figure. His pass to Nasri in the build-up to the second goal was outstanding.

The Barca fans continued to cheer Fabregas throughout the game.

And you wonder whether he will be playing at the Nou Camp next season.

Maybe winning the Champions League with Arsenal could persuade Fabregas to stay. 7

XAVI: Like his Barcelona team-mates, little Xavi looked pure class for an hour or so then disappeared.

Yet you can bet he will be a fearsome opponent in the second leg on March 8. 7

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WILSHERE v INIESTA

WILSHERE: DREAM TEAM STAR MAN. Take note, Fabio Capello.

Wilshere is more than capable of playing in an attacking midfield role. He was a real driving force. 9

INIESTA: UNDERLINED what a fantastic player he is, particularly in the first hour. Saw less of the ball later on - and pulled out of a couple of 50-50s. 7

WALCOTT v PEDRO

WALCOTT: SOME wonderful, Messi-like tricks caused panic among the Barca defence early on. He would make way for Bendtner in the second half but can be happy with his effort. 7

PEDRO: CONSTANT threat down the right.

As supply dried up, though, he went missing. Fine player will still have to be watched in second leg. 7

VAN PERSIE v VILLA

VAN PERSIE: HE missed some great chances but did make amends with his brilliant strike to bring Arsenal level. It could prove crucial.

Dutch hitman's workrate was outstanding. 8

VILLA: A CLASS act all night. Needed just the one, sublime touch to fire past Szczesny. Some of his approach play was superb. Sacrificed as Barca tried to seal it. 8

NASRI v MESSI

NASRI: DISAPPOINTING - until he made the second goal. Had struggled to make an impact in his first match back from injury but great pass set up Arshavin for the winner. 7

MESSI: THIS lad could make it in the game! Missed an early chance but made the Barca goal. Then had one ruled out that looked like it should have stood. 8

SUBS:

ARSENAL

ARSHAVIN (for Song, 68) THE Russian helped to completely change the game. Played a role to set up the equaliser and scored the winner. 8

BENDTNER (for Walcott, 77) MADE himself a nuisance towards the end - the Danish striker did a job. 7

Not used: Almunia, Rosicky, Denilson, Squillaci, Gibbs.

BARCELONA

KEITA (for Villa, 68) ARRIVED to help shore the midfield but the Mali international made little difference for Barca in the second half. 6

ADRIANO (for Iniesta, 89) DID not have a chance to make an impact. 6

Not used: Pinto, Bojan, Mascherano, Milito, Afellay.

NASRI: DISAPPOINTING - until he made the second goal. Had struggled to make an impact in his first match back from injury but great pass set up Arshavin for the winner. 7

Wigan 0 Bolton 1

STAR MAN - IVAN KLASNIC (Bolton)


WIGAN: Pollitt 7, Stam 5, G Caldwell 6, S Caldwell 6, Lopez 5, Gomez 6, Diame 5, Thomas 6, McArthur 7, McManaman 6, Di Santo 6. Subs: Moses (McManaman 43) 7. Not used: Kirkland, McCarthy, Watson, Golobart, Mustoe, Redmond.

BOLTON: Bogdan 6, Ricketts 5, Wheater 6, Cahill 7, Robinson 6, Lee 6, M Davies 7, Muamba 5, Petrov 7, Klasnic 8, Elmander 6. Subs: Alonso (Ricketts 58) 5, K Davies (Klasnic 85) 5, , Cohen (Muamba 90) 5. Not used: Lainton, Taylor, Moreno, Blake. Booked: Robinson, M Davies.


Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1

STAR MAN - JACK WILSHERE (Arsenal)


ARSENAL: Sczesny 7, Eboue 6, Djourou 7, Koscielny 7, Clichy 7, Song 7, Fabregas 7, Wilshere 9, Walcott 7, Van Persie 8, Nasri 7. Subs: Arshavin 8, Bendtner 7. Not used: Almunia, Rosicky, Denilson, Squillaci, Gibbs. Booked: Nasri, Song, Van Persie.

12 arsenal players get 7 plus ...


what a load of bollocks....