Barca remain confident

BARCELONA striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels his side's 2-2 Champions League draw with Arsenal is still a good result despite the reigning European champions failing to hold on to a two-goal lead in a thrilling encounter at Emirates Stadium.

Barca looked set to make next week's quarter-final second leg at the Nou Camp a mere formality as they created chance after chance against shellshocked Arsenal before a brace from Ibrahimovic at the start of the second half deservedly put Pep Guardiola's side in the ascendancy. However, the Catalan outfit would end up having to settle for a draw after Arsenal hit back through goals from Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas to leave the tie in the balance.

That was a blow for a Barca side who had enough opportunities to kill Arsenal off in the opening half-hour alone, but looking at the bigger picture, Ibrahimovic believes they cannot be too upset with the final scoreline.

"They scored two goals late on, even so it's a good result," said the in-form Swede, who took his tally to five in Barca's last four games.

"I'm happy for the two goals, but more for the team. A 2-2 draw is a good result and we still have the return leg at home.

"We gave everything to win, but they've managed to score. This is the Champions League and you must play from start to finish, until the referee blows the whistle. We have to be positive ahead of the second game."

Midfielder Xavi added: "In the return leg we have to play with the same intensity. It was maybe our best game of the season and it's a shame not to have won it."