Arsenal fans still hopeful of beating Barcelona in the Nou Camp and reaching Champions League quarter-finals

Per Mertesacker hat-trick, anyone?

Arsenal supporters (Getty Images)

If Arsenal’s hopes of progression in the Champions League looked bleak this time yesterday, they only look bleaker now.

Despite putting in a largely disciplined and at times daring display against Barcelona, they were ultimately unable to shackle Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, who apparently now operate under the collective moniker of ‘the MSN’.

It was the first of those names, Messi, who broke the deadlock on 71 minutes, after his two partners in crime had sliced through Arsenal’s stranded defence in a devastating counter-attack.

The second followed soon after. Per Mertesacker’s unconvincing clearance forced substitute Mathieu Flamini to stretch out his leg and catch Messi, who was rushing to meet the loose ball as it bounced inside the area.

The Argentinian duly scored the penalty, doubled his side’s lead and made Arsene Wenger’s job in three weeks’ time a lot more difficult. With two away goals, Barça look home and hosed, their place in the quarter-finals all but assured.

Given the Pollyanna disposition of your average Arsenal supporters, though, there’s plenty who believe it’s not over just yet. Some can even see the funny side.

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The second leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie will take place at the Nou Camp on 16 March.