Van Persie Sending Off at Camp Nou

Although easily outclassed by Barcelona in their Champions League second round clash, Arsenal looked like they were still in the game right up the the Van Persie sending off in the 51st minute.

The reason was a second bookable offence, his second yellow coming for apparently playing the ball after the whistle had gone. Van Persie, along with his manager Arsene Wenger and several members of the Arsenal squad protested vigourously.

"My sending-off had a big influence, and in my opinion it was a total joke. How can I hear his whistle with 95 000 people jumping up - how can I hear that for God's sake? Please explain that."

When told later that there was an approximate delay of one second between the referee blowing his whistle and his attempt at goal, Van Persie replied: 'That just makes it even worse.'

You can see his reaction here:

For match reports see Mail Online and Sport 24.