3 ways Arsenal can shock Barcelona at the Camp Nou

Arsenal made life difficult for itself for the second year in a row after conceding a late goal to increase its deficit heading into the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League.

The only difference this time around is the quality of its opponent as a 3-1 disadvantage to AS Monaco pales in comparison to the 2-0 shortfall facing Arsenal ahead of its trip to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona next month.

While the margin on the score sheet after 90 minutes leaves Arsenal in the unenviable position of needing an otherworldly performance in Spain, manager Arsene Wenger's men showed signs of a side capable of keeping pace with Barca and disrupting the free-flowing style of the defending Liga champions.

Here are three ways Arsenal can stun the world at the Camp Nou:

Replicate defending that stumped Barca in 1st half

Following a first half where the triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar looked uncharacteristically ordinary, Barcelona could be in for a surprise if Arsenal can repeat its defensive masterclass from the opening frame of Tuesday's loss.

The defensive execution was close to flawless as Wenger's game plan saw a Barcelona outfit bursting with confidence - thanks to its 32-match unbeaten run heading into Tuesday's contest - get reduced to a side that failed to test Arsenal netminder Petr Cech.

Arsenal's composure at the back almost led to an unblemished performance, had it not been for a momentary lapse in concentration near the end of the half. Per Mertesacker, especially, performed brilliantly in the opening frame as the big German dominated his territory unflappably with every surge into the Arsenal end.

The second half, however, was a different story as Mertesacker's impressive display was wiped out by his failed lunge at the ball that eventually saw Barca break on the counter with a man advantage before Messi broke the deadlock.

Adventurous approach

The fearless nature of Arsenal's approach in the final third is an aspect Wenger will hope to repeat in the second leg as his side will be desperate to avoid elimination in the round of 16 for the sixth consecutive year.

Although the hosts began the encounter with a preference to sit back and get a read on Barca's tactics, Arsenal's courageous strategy led to effective play up the flanks that stretched the Catalans and inspired optimism from a home support that had to be delighted with Arsenal's attacking approach - one that almost led to pandemonium in the stands on multiple occasions, including Olivier Giroud's close-range header until it was cleared off the line.

Improved composure in front of goal

For every pundit who offers praise for creating chances against a supremely talented Barcelona squad, there's likely double the amount of criticism aimed at Arsenal's failure to bulge the back of the net.

"You have to give them credit, they average a goal a game," midfielder Aaron Ramsey told reporters. "But chances like the one we had, you need to take them."

The team's struggles in front of goal have been an unwelcome label placed on the club in recent weeks and months, with Tuesday's display adding fuel to the belief that Arsenal lacks the elite talent up front to compete with teams such as Barcelona. Regardless of whether Giroud or Danny Welbeck is up front, improved play up the middle from the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez should see opportunities open in front of goal and dispel the tired talks of ineptitude in front of goal.