Check out the best and worst moments from the midweek action in the UEFA Champions League.
Team of the week
Game of the week
Arsenal 2 Barcelona 2
It took about a millisecond to make this decision after these two sides played out probably the game of the season. Usually when a great deal of expectation surrounds a match, an anti-climax follows. However, this encounter more than lived up to its billing. Barcelona were rampant in the opening stages as Arsenal, supposed masters of keeping the ball, could not get a sniff of possession. And it could have been game over for the Gunners had Manuel Almunia not been in inspired form as Arsenal somehow held on for a goalless first half. However, just seconds into the second period, Zlatan Ibrahimovic capitalised on poor positioning from Almunia as the Swede broke the deadlock. And just prior to the hour mark, Barca grabbed their second away goal. Again Sweden international Ibrahimovic was on target, again beating Arsenal's ropey offside trap and this time lashing past Almunia with aplomb. The home side looked dead and buried. But on came Theo Walcott and the youngster's pace proved the catalyst for a route back into the game for the Gunners as he slid under Victor Valdes. Then, with five minutes remaining, Carles Puyol was adjudged to have fouled Cesc Fabregas in the area, and the defender was dismissed. Up stepped Fabregas, who slotted in the leveller only to pick up a serious-looking injury in the process... and breathe.
Player of the week
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia would have landed this accolade had he not messed up for Barca's opener. Therefore, Ibrahimovic is this week's winner for his brace at Emirates Stadium. The Swede was, in fact, guilty of missing a number of chances in the first half, with one sitter of particular embarrassment - although the flag was up for offside. This profligacy led to further suggestions that he was not up to the task against English opposition, but Ibrahimovic silenced those doubters seconds into the second period. His opener demonstrated his class (see below for a fuller description) and he continued to prove a nuisance for the Gunners backline as he later thundered one past Almunia.
Goal of the week
Ibrahimovic's first
There were not too many crackers to pick from this midweek. Lyon's Michel Bastos finished very well against Bordeaux, but it was not of a breathtaking level, while Diego Milito's goal for Inter Milan was accurate if not stunning. Therefore, Ibrahimovic wins his second prize of the week. The languid attacker beat Arsenal's offside trap as he latched onto a long ball from Gerard Pique. A quick glance from the Swede saw Almunia charging off his line and into no man's land. Cue a deft flick of the boot that helped lift the ball over Almunia's head and into the far corner.
Pass of the week
Nicklas Bendtner
Bendtner may not have scored against Barcelona, but he did provide two telling moments that helped Arsenal claw their way back into the game. The first key assist came in the 69th minute when the Dane slid in a wonderful ball into the path of the surging Walcott. The pass was of a high quality as it got full-back Maxwell turning awkwardly, while Walcott did not have to break stride. Second of all, after Walcott's cross has got a deflection, Bendtner showed excellent composure and quick thinking to nod to Fabregas, who was subsequently brought down for the penalty.
Controversy of the week
Two penalties
The penalty awarded to Arsenal for the contact made by Puyol on Fabregas was very soft indeed. And on top of this, Spain centre-back Puyol was sent off by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca, meaning he will miss the second leg. The incident looked more of a matter of Fabregas kicking into Puyol, and even Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said it was "so-so" of whether it should have been a spot-kick. Elsewhere, there was further controversy surrounding a penalty decision. With Lyon winning 2-1 over their Ligue 1 rivals Bordeaux, referee Felix Brych harshly adjudged Matthieu Chalme to have handled Aly Cissokho's shot. Cissokho fired at shot with power and Chalme dove in to block. Chalme's momentum saw his arms outstretched and the ball clattered against said limb from close range. Harsh indeed.
Save of the week
Manuel Almunia
The level of goalkeeping in the Champions League was of a high standard this week. Before we laud Almunia's catalogue of fine stops, it is important to praise the other glove-wearers who also shone. Lyon's Hugo Lloris made two wonderful saves at the Stade Gerland, one from Yoan Gouffran and the other from Marouane Chamakh. Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar also somehow kept out a stinging Mario Gomez strike while Igor Akinfeev's save from a Goran Pandev strike was remarkable, as was Victor Valdes' from Bendtner's header. But it was Almunia who drew the most plaudits after single-handedly, quite literally at times, keeping Barca at bay in the first half. Highlights of Almunia's showing include: a low stop from a Sergi Busquets shot, a strong wrist to block Ibrahimovic and a brave save to frustrate Xavi.
Miss of the week
Ivica Olic
The Croatian made up for this miss with his dramatic winner for Bayern Munich, while he would have been saved of landing this infamous tag had Ibrahimovic not been flagged offside for his aforementioned sitter. Nonetheless, let us reminisce over Olic's cringe-worthy moment. Hamit Altintop's hit a cross-shot towards goal which zipped towards the far corner. Olic was lurking and looking perfectly placed to tap in from only yards out, but the Croatian swiped at thin air, much to the disdain of the majority of the Allianz Arena.
Gaffe of the week
Bordeaux defending
Bordeaux unquestionably gifted Lyon their opening two goals. First, on 10 minutes, defender Michael Ciani made a right hash of a headed clearance that fell weakly to the opposition, allowing Lisandro Lopez to tap in from close range. And then in the 32nd minute, a routine cross to the back post was awfully dealt with by Benoit Tremoulinas, whose tame jump only saw him get hair and no forehead on the clearance, with Bastos picking up possession and smashing in.
