Arsenal struck twice in five minutes late on as they staged a stirring comeback to beat Champions League favourites Barcelona on a night to savour at The Emirates. Barcelona looked on course to take a precious lead into the second leg of this last 16 clash at the Nou Camp as they protected the first-half lead given to them by David Villa. The Catalans wasted chances to strengthen their position, with Lionel Messi an unlikely culprit, leaving the door open for Arsenal to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive in spectacular fashion. Robin van Persie equalised 12 minutes from time with a shot that somehow eluded Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes at his near post before substitute Andrey Arshavin sent Arsenal's fans into ecstasy with a crisp finish that gives them a slender advantage to take to Spain. Arsenal were attempting to follow in the footsteps of arch-rivals Tottenham after their magnificent win against AC Milan in the San Siro on Tuesday - and they were not to be outdone as they made it a memorable 24 hours for north London in Champions League combat. Arsene Wenger's side were intent on proving a point after losing 6-3 to Barcelona over two legs at the quarter-final stage last season - and they achieved their objective without sacrificing their long-held principles. For all the talk of Arsenal attempting to make it a physical confrontation with the lavishly-gifted Barcelona stars, the Gunners continued to play their trademark passing game and reaped a rich dividend in a frantic finale. Barcelona, ironically, looked in control as they game entered its final phase, but once Van Persie levelled the mood inside The Emirates helped sweep Arsenal to victory. Coach Pep Guardiola will still be confident Barcelona can overturn a narrow deficit in the return, but Arsenal now have something to protect and will travel with the confidence this triumph will have given them. Jack Wilshere was the symbol of Arsenal's development since these teams last met with a performance of composure that made a nonsense of his tender teenage years, while Arsenal's resilience and dogged determination as Barcelona dominated possession for lengthy spells met with Wenger's approval. Wenger described it as "a special night" - and Arsenal's manager must take great credit for a relentlessly positive attitude on and off the pitch, introducing Arshavin for Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner for Theo Walcott even though his side were behind. He insists Barcelona remain favourites to progress but Arsenal will feel they have applied pressure to Barcelona as they carry a weight of expectation into the second leg. Arsenal were determined to guard against type of chasing they suffered in the opening half at The Emirates when the sides met last season - and this time around they more than held their own against the Catalan artists. Samir Nasri's availability after a hamstring injury provided a real bonus for Arsenal and they started with admirable attacking intent. A wonderful moment of invention from Cesc Fabregas, lifting the ball over the Barcelona defence, forged an early opening for Van Persie but keeper Valdes was alert and made a crucial block. Barcelona's response was the lacerating passage of play that has become their trademark. Villa sent Messi clear, but the little Argentine over-elaborated with a routine finish and not only guided his effort over Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny but wide of the far post.