H-T Barcelona 1-0 Arsenal: Messi strikes late to break Gunners' resistance

Arsenal surrendered their first-leg advantage as Lionel Messi brought Barcelona level in tonight's Champions League last-16 return.

The Gunners managed to limit their hosts to mostly half-chances at the Nou Camp despite Barcelona's attacking intent, with the 19th-minute loss of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny seemingly Arsene Wenger's only first-half headache.

However, Cesc Fabregas gifted possession to Barca in stoppage time and Messi took advantage, jinking his way brilliantly towards goal before beating Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal were boosted by the inclusion of Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas for the second leg of their last-16 clash.

Holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg in north London, Arsenal had been sweating on the fitness of key striker Van Persie and captain Fabregas, who had been struggling with knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

However, both were fit to play and it was Barcelona who had availability issues. With central defenders Carles Puyol (injured) and Gerard Pique (suspended) ruled out, left-back Eric Abidal and midfielder Sergio Busquets deputised.

Gael Clichy put a stiff early challenge in on Barca playmaker Xavi and was fortunate to escape a caution inside a minute.

Barcelona soon carved out their first opening as Laurent Koscielny blocked Pedro's attempt.

Koscielny did brilliantly to halt a dangerous break by Lionel Messi in the 13th minute after Arsenal cheaply sacrificed possession.

Koscielny was booked in the 16th minute for a rough challenge on Pedro before Daniel Alves' subsequent free-kick was saved easily by Wojciech Szczesny, who then needed attention on his hand after catching the ball awkwardly.

The problem was significant enough to force him off just 18 minutes in, with Manuel Almunia coming on from the bench.

Johan Djourou had to time his challenge perfectly to stop Xavi enjoying a free shot from inside the box in the 28th minute and Pedro failed to capitalise on the loose ball with his shot.

Bacary Sagna joined Koscielny in Swiss referee Massimo Busacca's notebook for throwing the ball away.

Andres Iniesta played in Villa in the 32nd minute but Almunia saved his tame shot.

Barca came close to a goal was when Villa fed Adriano on the left and the full-back's cross struck the near post and bounced away shortly after the half-hour mark.

Jack Wilshere was booked for fouling Iniesta as Arsenal laboured in midfield, though Messi's free-kick failed to beat the wall.

Wilshere was then injured in a battle for the ball and the latest hold-up in play prompted flared tempers among the players.

Moments later, Van Persie was booked after a collision with Alves.

Messi wasted a chance in added time when he bore down on goal only to strike straight at Almunia.

Seconds later the aggregate score was level. Yet again Arsenal gave the ball away cheaply - Fabregas the guilty party - and when Iniesta found Messi the Argentinian jinked his way towards goal, flicked the ball sublimely over Almunia and hooked the ball home.