Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that midfielder Alex Song is set to miss the second leg of their champions league round of 16 tie against Barcelona. Song also missed Arsenal’s weekend game against Sunderland in Premier League as he continues to struggle from the knee problem which he picked up against Birmingham City in the carling cup final at Wembley. Cameroon international was not able to pass the fitness test due to which he is now set to miss the Spanish trip to Barcelona for gunners.  Arsene Wenger said in the press conference.

Alex Song had a fitness test yesterday, its report is negative due to which he is out from the Barcelona game.

However, Gunners boss is confident that captain Cesc Fabregas will be fit to face his former club as he passed a fitness test over his injury.  Moreover, young midfielder Jack Wilshere is also fit to face the mouth watering tie against the Spanish champions. Wenger praised Fabregas and said that the Spanish play maker is really important player for Arsenal. He said.

He(Fabregas) is one of the leaders for our team. The part which he plays for us is vital. He links up really well with the defensive and attacking line so ultimately he is going to be a very important player for us in a big match like this.

Long serving boss also insisted that his side also needs to defend well if they want to have any chance of winning the match.  He said.

Yes, of course we need to defend well because it is one of those games where we need to defend for 60% of the match. However, it is very important for us to play with the style which we are used to because our style is to attack not to defend. Moreover, I would like to inform that in last 11 premier league games we have kept 7 clean sheets which is better than Manchester United as well so I am sure that we can defend but I prefer my team to attack, so my team will attack and that is for sure.

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is set to face a disciplinary hearing from Uefa on the charge of unsporting behavior shown in the match against Tottenham Hotspur when he clashed with Spurs assistant manager Joe Jordan.  33 year old former Italy international was right in the centre stage of the controversy when Milan lost to Spurs 1-0 at the San Siro.

A frustrating match for Gattuso was made worse for him due to his actions when he appeared to head butt Joe Joran after the final whistle. This was not the only incident as he grabbed Joran by throat during the match as well. Control and disciplinary committee of Uefa will hold special meeting to discuss the issue on Monday with Gattuso expected to serve a bigger ban for his actions.  Gattuso will miss the second leg of the tie against Spurs at White Hart Lane due to suspension after he picked up a yellow card in the game at San Siro. Apart from this, he also smacked the pitch in real angry mood after he was cautioned.

World cup winner had a heated discussion with the former Scotland and Milan midfield player Joe Jordan after the final whistle and it gave birth to ugly scenes in the dugout when players from both the teams started to get themselves involved in the fight.  According to experts, Gattuso will face a ban of at least 3 European matches under the guidance of Uefa’s code for unsporting conduct.

However, Gattuso did apologize for his actions afterwards but it was too late to repent on his awful actions as experts from all across the Europe called for a strict action against him. One of his agents has also claimed that Gattuso was provoked by Joe Jordan on several times during the match due to which he lost his control and grabbed him by throat.

However, Vedran Corluka who suffered an ankle injury due to a horror tackle from Mathie Flamini is set to recover in a moth as X-Rays confirmed that no break has been suspected in Croatian international ankle. 

Arsenal secure their first ever win over Barcelona as they beat Spanish champions 2-1 to take slight advantage into the second leg of the tie. Barcelona totally dominated the proceedings in the first half as they lead Arsenal by a goal to nil at half time.  Barca could have scored more than one goal but they paid the ultimate price as Arsenal scored two times in less than 5 minutes to secure a historic win. Robin Van Persie equalized for Arsenal from a very tight angle before Arshavin put Emirates stadium on fire with a composed and cool finish.

Arsenal quickly settled into the match with Nasri, Fabregas and Van Persie involved in classic passing moves but Barcelona who had Messi and Villa upfront started to tale hold of the game. As game progressed Barca midfield started to took more possession and it was evident that their possession would count for something and it did when a superb through pass from Messi was finished nicely by David Villa to give Barcelona a deserved lead on the night. It could have been worse for Arsenal as a stylish back heel from Barcelon’s Pedro was saved at the near post from Szczesny. Van Persie should have done much better when he received a fine pass from Jack Wilshere on the edge of the box but the Dutchman was unable to provide the finish which was required.

Manager Arsene Wenger and Arsenal players came out early from their dressing room as they started the second half of the game with a real purpose. Gunners started to get control of the game as Valdes put of some decent saves from Fabregas, Wilshere and Van Persie. Lionel Messi who still hasn’t scored against English teams in England went close but was only able to find the side netting. Intent of both managers became clear when Villa was substituted for Keita and Arsene Wenger substituted Arshavin for Alex Song.  Gunners made their second change of the game on 76 minutes with Nicklas Bendtner coming on for Theo Walcott.  Meanwhile, Eric Abidal made an excellent sliding tackle in the box to prevent Jack Wilshere to shoot.

Arsenal efforts finally paid off when a cross from Gael Clichy was taken well by Van Persie who then produced a stunning shot to score from one of the tightest angels to put Arsenal level and then minutes later Arsenal got their second when Fabregas sent Nasri on goal with the Frenchman pulling it back to assist Arshavin who really scored a fine goal to give Arsenal the lead on the night.  Barcelona tried to pull level with Arsenal but in the end gunners hold on to their lead for a famous win.

You can also watch highlights of the match as well. 

Its All over!! As Arsenal beat Barcelona to register a famous win! 

Arshavin!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its 2-1 to Arsenal… What a comeback from the gunners!! 83 Minutes Gone!!

Van Persie!!!! We said in our preview that Van Persie is the key player  and he has done it to make 1-1 Game on!!!!

Great one touch passing from Barcelona as Messi easily beats Songs to shoot but it was blocked. Awesome Stuff!! 69 Minutes Gone!! Watch the match live at channel1,

Van Persie again tries his luck but again his shot is saved from Valdes 65 Minutes Gone!!

Pique is booked for his foul on Fabregas… He will now miss the second leg of the tie. 60 minutes Gone.

Arsenal on the front foot as Valdes make another save from Van Persie's Shoot. 57 Minutes gone!!

Song Dribbles like Messi but is unable to continue his run. 53 Minutes gone!

Jack Wilshere tries his luck from the edge of the box but his effort is well saved by Valdes! 48 Minutes Gone

2nd half stats and its astonishing to know that Barcelona completed 328 passes in the first half… Quite Amazing!!!

Its half time time and Barcelona lead Arsenal thanks to a goal from David Villa!! 

Barcelona are really killing Arsenal as the slick passing of Barca is really eye catching. Arsenal need massive improvement! Remember the match is live at channel1. 40 Minutes Gone

The match hangs in the balance as the first half approaches towards its end. 36 Minutes Gone!! Its still 1-0 For Barcelona

Samir Nasri and Iniesta are the latest players to be booked. 

Messi gave a delightful pass to Villa who makes no mistake to score for Barca. 30 Minutes Gone!

That is It!! David Villa Scores!!! Goal!!! 26 Minutes

Who what a let off for Arsenal. David Villa gets a fantastic pass from Lionel Messi but his shot is just wide from the target. Barca Midfield is really getting into its stride now!!  22 Minutes Gone Its still 0-0 but for How Long??

Remember the game is Live at channel1.

First yellow card of the game for Arsenal player Alex Song. Barca are now getting more of the possession. 15 Minutes Gone!!

Great start for the Gunners as a clever pass from Fabregas finds Van Persie and his powerful shot is well saved by Valdes. 10 Minutes Gone

A bright start from Arsenal with Van Persie, Walcott and Fabregas involved in the attack for the gunners.

Its 50 50 in the opening stages of the match as both teams are looking to attack each other… 5 minutes gone!!

Atmosphere at Emirates is electric as the match starts with Barcelona kick off the match

Arsenal:  Szczesny, Eboue, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Walcott, Fabregas, Nasri, van Persie

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Abidal, Maxwell, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa

Teams are in. Here are the line ups for both the teams.

The wait is over. Its Arsenal Vs Barcelona and its Xavi Vs Fabregas. Watch all the match live at channel1 and stay tune as we will cover each and every aspect of the match Live!! In mean time, visit channel1 to watch premier league goals of the season (2009-10).

Arsenal will be facing Barcelona today a team which is ruling football world these days but Arsenal players will be encouraged by the fact that Barcelona has never won any away knock out game in Champions League under Pep Guardiola but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to get any type of positive result from the Emirates to take into the 2^nd leg at Camp Nou.  So let us see at the top 3 battles in the match which could prove to be decisive in deciding the result of the match.

First up is Lionel Messi against Arsenal back four. Pep Guardiola has deployed Messi in a more central role this season with David Villa playing on the left with Pedro on right. So the result of the match could be decided by the battle between Messi and Arsenal back four. Any assistance from the central midfield players like Jack Wilshere and Alex Song would be pretty much appreciated by Laurent Koscielny and Djorou.

Next up is the battle between the playmakers and as we all know its Xavi Vs Fabregas.  Both are Catalans. Both like to pass and both like to open up and take players out of the position. Although , Xavi is better than Fabregas at the moment due to his experience and knowledge at the highest level but without a shadow of a doubt Fabregas belongs to the list of those players who are very much influential in final third.

3^rd key battle for Arsenal would be at the other hand between Robin Van Perise and Gerard Pique. Although, gunners would have liked to use the aerial threat of Marouane Chamakh but with the Moroccan forward apparently being fatigued so all the responsibility lies on the shoulders of inform Van Persie. The Dutchman has already scored 11 goals in 2011 but in Pique Van Persie again faces that defender who got the better of him in the World Cup final but this time he will probably get better service from Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott and Rosicky so we could expect a classic encounter between both the players.