Arsenal's latest Champions League quest began with a flourish but ended amid controversial scenes.
Spared the inconvenience of a qualifier, Arsène Wenger's side got their campaign up and running in September. And frankly, they were irresistible.
Braga - the eventual Europa League finalists - were brushed aside 6-0 at the Emirates with Marouane Chamakh scoring the pick of the goals, courtesy of a cheeky backheeled assist from Jack Wilshere.
Shakhtar Donetsk were no mugs, as they would prove with a run to the Quarter-Finals, but they were no match for Arsenal in north London either. The Ukrainians arrived on the back of a seven-match winning streak but were thrashed 5-1.
Partizan Belgrade got similar treatment in their own backyard and, by mid-October, Arsenal looked home and hosed as far as top spot was concerned. Indeed, some were tipping Wenger's team to mark their 13th consecutive year at Europe's top table with a run to match - or even exceed - their Final appearance of 2006.
Then it all went wrong.
Theo Walcott's casual finish gave Arsenal the lead at the impressive Donbass Arena but defensive slip-ups handed Shakhtar a come-from-behind victory and, suddenly, Group H did not look quite so easy.
It got notably harder when Braga inflicted another defeat in Portugal and Arsenal ended up settling for second place despite a home win over Partizan Belgrade.
That was careless at best and Wenger's players paid the price when Barcelona followed them out of the hat at the draw for the last 16.
The arrival of the Catalan giants in north London gave the Emirates its most memorable occasion since it opened in the summer of 2006. Arsenal went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola's outstanding side and hit back to win 2-1 with goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin.
All was well with the world that night but it was a different story three weeks later.
Wenger set out his stall with containment in mind at the Nou Camp and Arsenal were compact and combative for the first hour, despite shipping a goal after a rare mistake from Cesc Fabregas.
Sergio Busquets' own goal made amends and the visitors were on course for a famous victory when Van Persie was dismissed for a second yellow card after taking on a shot after the whistle had blown.
The Dutchman was crestfallen - he had not heard the whistle amid the Nou Camp cacophony - but he had to go. And from that moment on Barcelona turned the screw.
Even then, the 10 men carved out a late chance for Nicklas Bendtner but his first touch eluded him and a 3-1 defeat on the night condemned Arsenal to an early exit.
Barcelona's serene progress to the Final and their dismantling of Manchester United when they got there underlined what a formidable force they are.
But Arsenal ran them close. Very close.
Source: Chris Harris, Arsenal.com on 3 Jun 11
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