Barcelona Prove They Are Not Just The Lionel Messi Show

So Barcelona did not leave London with the result they wanted or deserved.

They will have a bittersweet feeling this morning after a breathtaking first half display and a comfortable two goal advantage, they allowed Arsenal to salvage something from the match.

Victor Valdes will be disappointed not to have saved Theo Walcott's weak shot, then captain Carles Puyol, a colossus all night, bundled over Cesc Fabregas in the penalty area and was sent off.

But they do still remain the favourites to progress to the Champions League semi finals next week, even with Puyol and centre back partner Gerard Pique suspended.

They welcome Arsenal to the Nou Camp on Tuesday, where they have the advantage of two away goals.

At the Emirates Stadium, Barcelona produced an exemplary exhibition of football that was a joy to watch.

Coach Pep Guardiola said: "I am proud of my team. We won the Champions League last season but we never played like that away from home. Never."

Lionel Messi, however, was relatively subdued despite leaving every Arsenal fan covering their eyes in fear with a trademark run within 30 seconds.

Arsenal did not man-mark Messi but he failed to leave his mark on this game.

The hype surrounding the apparent 'world's greatest player' before the game allowed his teammates to take centre stage.

Midfielder Xavi was sublime even without his usual partner in crime, Andres Iniesta. He ensured Barcelona played with speed, sparkle and imagination. Most importantly, his desire to close down any Arsenal attack was admirable.

Xavi would also have opened the scoring if it was not for fellow Spaniard Manuel Almunia pulling off a splendid save.

Then there is two-goal hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has received his fair share of criticism this season.

The Swede had not scored in England before last night and that looked to continue as he missed a sitter in Barcelona's first half assault on the Arsenal goal.

Ibrahimovic has now scored five goals in his last four matches.

Fullbacks Daniel Alves and Maxwell also ran riot in the first half onslaught and Sergio Busquets provided the steel in midfield.

The level of Barcelona's performance serves as an example that they do not rely too heavily on Lionel Messi.

The whole squad has enormous talent and everyone has an important role to play and special performances like the one at the Emirates are only possible through Guardiola's team, not Messi on his own.