Mathieu Flamini: Arsenal fans take to Twitter to express disbelief midfielder is starting against Barcelona

The match kicks off at 7.45pm

Mathieu Flamini during Arsenal training (Getty Images)

Utility man Mathieu Flamini is a much-maligned figure at the Emirates Stadium.

So when his name was read out as a starter in their crucial Champions League Last 16 second-leg tie at Barcelona, it did not go down well with Arsenal supporters on Twitter.

UPDATE: Flamini was taken off before half-time in the game after being booked.

Flamini played a key role in the first leg, his first involvement after emerging for the bench was to concede the penalty which Lionel Messi converted for his second goal of the game and to make it 2-0 to the Spanish giants.

The Gunners are in the midst of a woeful run, having won only one of their last seven matches in all competitions.

Barcelona are hoping to become the first team to retain the Champions League since the competition's inauguration/rebranding in 1992.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST REACTION

The Gunners are in the midst of a woeful run, having won only one of their last seven matches in all competitions and exited the FA Cup to Watford three days ago.

Barca, meanwhile, are on a 37-match club record unbeaten run in all competitions.