Messi strikes twice to leave Arsenal hopes hanging by a thread

The Argentine linked up with Luis Suarez and Neymar as they hit Arsene Wenger’s side on the break before slotting home a ball across the box from the Brazilian in the 71st minute.

Messi then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot when Mathieu Flamini brought him down inside the area with a terrible challenge after coming on as substitute.

It leaves Arsenal with an incredibly tough away leg