It was one of those roller-coaster nights at the Emirates last week when the thespians from Arsenal and Barcelona enthralled fans with their party tricks and heroics in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Spaniards seemingly had the game and perhaps the tie sewn up after 60 minutes of extra-terrestrial exhibition football where they were rewarded with a two-goal lead. But in the final 20 minutes of the match, it all came crashing down on them as things gradually went from bad to worse.

Theo Walcott pulled one back for the Gunners on 69 minutes. Gerard Pique was then booked three minutes later and five minutes from time, Carles Puyol was sent off with a straight red and from the ensuing penalty, Arsenal drew levelled on the night. But that would’ve been the last of Pep Guardiola’s worries.

The Barca coach will now have to do some serious thinking infront of the drawing board as Pique and Puyol’s misconduct will rule both of them out of the return leg clash at the Camp Nou. They are not only Barca’s two main centre-backs, but they are extremely pivotal figures who perform all the dirty work at the back so the superstars up infront can carry on with their razzle-dazzle.

However, there’s some good news for Blaugrana fans. Left-back Eric Abidal has returned just in time following a two-month absence with a thigh injury, while Yaya Toure has also shaken off an ankle knock. Their availability, although not perfect replacements, will be valuable alternatives for Guardiola as it will undoubtedly give him more options to work with.