Thursday 17 March 2016 08:53, UK
There were positives in defeat for Arsenal despite going out of the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona on Wednesday night.
The form of Mohamed Elneny has been promising for Arsenal, and Alex Iwobi gave Arsenal fans a bright look into the future at the Nou Camp, but the big-game performances of Alexis Sanchez continue to be a concern.
Here are five talking points from Arsenal's Champions League exit...
Stuttering Sanchez
It was another stuttering performance from the former Barcelona forward, who hasn't looked the same since his return from injury at the end of January. It isn't to say he didn't provide the right components for his team-mates but his own lack of cutting edge in front of goal continues.
The Alexis Sanchez of last season - or even from the first few months of this term - would have buried the header he had in the first half into the bottom corner, but the cross from Hector Bellerin could only be flashed wide.
With only two goals to his name over the last six weeks, he will be hoping the blip will come to an end sooner rather than later as the Premier League title remains the only trophy chance for Arsenal this season.
Super Suarez
Once again, Luis Suarez provided a superb performance and continued to make history with the record-breaking Barcelona. The Uruguayan has now been involved in 61 goals in all competitions this season (43 goals, 18 assists) - the most in the top five European leagues.
Indeed, he increased this tally on Wednesday, setting up Neymar's opening goal in the first half before adding his own name to the scoresheet with a sublime flying volley after a great cross from Dani Alves found the in-form striker in the middle of the box.
Of course, the Gunners bid for Suarez during his days at Liverpool - making an audacious offer of £40m and one pence to try and trigger his buy-out clause - and he has certainly come back to bite them during this Champions League tie.
Iwobi impresses
Arsene Wenger threw a slight curve ball at the Nou Camp by picking teenager Iwobi. The 19-year-old, who is the nephew of Jay Jay Okocha, is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Gunners but has impressed when handed an opportunity in this season's FA Cup.
And he did plenty to enhance his claims for a regular starting spot with a promising performance on the big stage against Barcelona.
Assured on the ball and with pace aplenty, Iwobi, who could have won his side a penalty in the 35th minute when he went down in the penalty area following contact with Javier Mascherano, showed enough flashes of his talent to provide Arsenal fans with some optimism for the future.
Elneny's rise continues
Elneny put in another eye-catching display for Arsenal, scoring his first goal for the club in the process with a beautiful finish to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen from the edge of the penalty area.
The Egyptian midfielder made his fourth start in 12 days against Barcelona but he showed no signs of fatigue as he put in another energetic performance at the heart of the Arsenal midfield.
The 23-year-old, who moved to the Emirates Stadium from Basel in January, broke up play well and showed a good range of passing, holding his own against the trio of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic.
The goal was the icing on the cake for a player who Wenger is finding difficult to leave out.
More missed chances
It was the same old story for Arsenal. Wenger's side created plenty of chances against the Champions League holders, but just like against Watford at the weekend, and throughout the season, the Gunners missed a hatful.
In the first half Elneny's poor touch allowed his shot to be blocked, before Alexis Sanchez glanced a free header wide of the far post.
Elneny made up for his earlier error with a superb finish from the edge of the area in the 53rd minute but after the goal the chances continued to come for the visitors.
None better than the opportunity that fell to Danny Welbeck, who had earlier hit the crossbar, with the score at 1-1 on the night, but indecisiveness in front of goal allowed Mascherano the chance to get a last-ditch block in.
And the Gunners were made to pay just five minutes later when Suarez's acrobatic volley restored the host's advantage and showed the ruthlessness you need to be successful at the top level.
