The two clubs have met on seven occasions in Europe’s top club competition with the Catalans having won four, drawn two and lost just once
Two big clubs who know each other well and have met in memorable ties previously in the competition. Arsenal and FC Barcelona have been drawn against each other again in the Champions League last 16 and will come face to face for the eighth time. Barça have had the better of the London club with four wins, two draws and just one defeat. The Catalans have come through every tie against Arsenal in Europe and the two games in February and March of next year will be their first meeting in five years.
Their first tie in the competition came in the group stages in 1999/2000. Current Barça coach scored the goal that gave his side a 1-1 draw against the Gunners at Camp Nou. In the return fixture Luis Enrique was again an important figure in the 4-2 win at Wembley.
Final in Paris
The next meeting between the sides came in the Champions League final in 2006 in Paris. Barça claimed their second victory in the competition thanks to a famous late goal from Juliano Belletti. The Premier League side went ahead in the game thanks to Sol Campbell with Samuel Eto’o levelling things up for Frank Rijkaard’s team.
Showtime from Messi
The last two precedents between the two clubs came in 2010 and in 2011 and both came in the Champions League. In the season 2009/10, in the second leg of the quarter final Leo Messi gave one of his typical masterclasses, scoring all four in the 4-1 win in the second leg at Camp Nou to take Barça into the semi-finals. The following season Messi scored twice in the 3-1 win at home that set Barça on their way to a fourth Champions League, culminating in the victory over Manchester United in the final at Wembley.
The teams meet again on the road to Milan where this season’s final will be played. Barça are trying to become the first side since the competition changes format to win the competition twice in a row.
Champions League goals 2015/16