The fearsome Blaugrana attacking trident were at it
again on Wednesday with a goal each, while Elneny's wonder-strike proved
too little, too late for Arsene Wenger's charges
Two-third of Barcelona's
MSN were on target at Camp Nou to ensure easy passage to the Champions
League quarter-finals, as Neymar and Luis Suarez hit in each half to
secure a 3-1 victory over Arsenal.
The aggregate margin in favour of Luis Enrique's team was 5-1 but
Lionel Messi's first-leg brace at Emirates Stadium did not discourage
the Premier League side from playing with plenty of enthusiasm in
Wednesday's return.
All three of Barca's esteemed forward trio were on target this time
around, with Neymar punishing slack defending after 18 minutes.
Mohamed Elneny and Alexis Sanchez wasted chances to equalise before
the break but a splendid finish from the former allowed him to chalk up a
maiden Arsenal goal on the grandest of stages six minutes into the
second half.
That superb effort gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope, with
Arsene Wenger's men requiring two more goals in a little under 40
minutes, but they were ultimately undone by the remainder of Barca's
fearsome three-pronged attack.
Suarez provided unforgettable fireworks and Messi added a late
third to keep Barcelona on course to retain their European crown and
leave Arsenal – out of the FA Cup and adrift in the Premier League title
race – to reflect on a sixth successive last-16 exit.
Danny Welbeck scuffed an early chance wide via his standing foot and
Arsenal were encouraged by an uncharacteristically untidy start from
their hosts.
Mesut Ozil left Sergio Busquets on the seat of his shorts and
advanced to send a shot whistling past Marc-Andre ter Stegen's
right-hand post.
Barcelona offered a glorious demonstration of their quality in the
17th minute when Neymar expertly picked out Messi with a raking pass.
Messi's first touch was exquisite but Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina similarly pulled a save out of the top drawer.
Jeremy Mathieu was allowed a free header on the bounce from the
resulting corner and a short and sharp spell of Barcelona pressure ended
with the opening goal.
Hector Bellerin allowed Neymar to sprint through goal-side of him and
the manner in which he collected Suarez's pass and slotted home came
with frustrating ease for Wenger.
A heavy touch meant Elneny allowed a 38th-minute opening to pass him
by and Sanchez headed a Bellerin cross wide when he should have punished
his former employers.
The industrious Alex Iwobi - a surprise starter - had an early
second-half strike deflected into the side netting by Dani Alves before
Arsenal pulled level on the night in wonderful fashion.
Sanchez cut a low pass from the left into Elneny's path and the
midfielder steered a crisp side-footed shot into the top-right corner.
Barca emerged from their latest slumber with a lightning combination
between Neymar and Messi – the Brazilian's backheel setting up his
team-mate to force Ospina into a low save – although a timely recovery
tackle from Javier Mascherano prevented Welbeck from ramping up the
unexpected anxiety inside Camp Nou.
But where Arsenal lacked precision to go with their enthusiasm,
Suarez contributed decisively with his 43rd goal of the season – and
arguably his best - in the 65th minute.
Alves hung a cross towards the back post where Suarez contorted
himself and sprung acrobatically to send a spectacular volley beyond a
helpless Ospina.
His opposite number Ter Stegen made a double save from Sanchez and
substitute Olivier Giroud, before Messi's impudent dink underlined the
gulf in penalty area class two minutes from time.
