Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat in Spain eliminated it from the Champions League.
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Barcelona’s big three of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were making the kill for Barcelona, sending the reigning champions into the Champions League quarter-finals for a ninth consecutive season with a 5-1 victory on aggregate.
“We didn’t take the chances we created, and the quality of Barca’s creativity in the final third especially Messi is exceptional”, Wenger said.
“For me it is suffering, but it is exceptional what he does”.
Brazil’s Neymar opened the scoring in the first half as the home side dominated the early play, but Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny curled in an excellent finish to spark life into the visitors after the break. It also stretched Barcelona’s unbeaten run to 38 games in all competitions as they aim to become the first team to retain the European Cup in the Champions League era. “It was a great game between two good teams”.
“I think we did really well and we had our chances and, while we could not materialise them, we showed we were up there”.
Danny Welbeck urged Arsenal to learn from their Champions League exit as Barcelona forward trio Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi gave Arsene Wenger’s men a lesson in clinical finishing. In football, you look the last game and you look at the positives.
“I am pleased they’re our forwards”.
But, having lost to Monaco, Bayern Munich twice, AC Milan and Barca again back in 2011, the Frenchman was quick to speak out about Arsenal’s perceived short-comings. We had chances and Barcelona are an exceptional side.
“The opponent is unsafe and we need to play very well to get to the next round”, Enrique said.
Flamini did not return to the Arsenal bench after manager Arsene Wenger took him off before half-time.
“I don’t know with what I hit the ball, but the most important thing is it went in”, said Suarez.
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The Arsenal starlet admitted he never thought he’d progress so quickly, and last summer even was after a loan move to secure regular game time elsewhere.
