Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger branded his side 'naive', 'disappointing' and 'technically average' as they succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday night.

Looking to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in six years, the Gunners had a number of chances early on in their game against the tournament's defending champions, but were ultimately pegged back as two goals from Lionel Messi - one from a sweeping counter-attack, the second from the penalty spot - but Barcelona in a commanding position in the tie.

And Wenger admitted afterwards that the tie was probably now beyond Arsenal - but insisted his side had created chances to win the game on the night, but had let themselves down at key moments.

"Barcelona is a great team, we knew that before the game," Wenger told BT Sport. "We put a lot of energy in the game and I believe technically we were very average overall.

"The regret I have is once we looked like we dominate the game in the last 20 minutes we give the goal away. Similar to Monaco [last season]. Naive.

"That is what is frustrating: When we look like we could win this game, we give it away."

Speaking subsequently in his press conference, Wenger expanded on his comments.

"We gave absolutely everything tonight so it's a shame we have nothing to show for it," Wenger said.

"Our finishing was a problem tonight. We missed it in the final third.

"Of course I'm disappointed because we lost in a way we knew we could not afford. We are extremely guilty.

"Maybe we felt that we could win the game and then we lost our cautiousness to defend. They're so dangerous on the break."

Acknowledged Barcelona's strength, he subsequently added: "They're better than us, there is no shame. They are European champions and that is no coincidence."

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker said that the team would go into the second leg with the same "courage" as before, but acknowledged they would concentrate on the Premier League in the interim.