Who would have imagined that at the end of the game, the main story would be the players that would be absent instead of who will be playing. Although it was a match that turned out to be as advertised, there are still a great deal of uncertainties that need to be attended to by both sides. The one that is able to fill the gaps better, will come out on top.

Next week's return leg at the Nou Camp will be sans some very important players on both sides of the ball.

Cesc Fábregas, William Gallas, Gerard Piqué, and Carles Puyol will be out of be-all-and-end-all match in Catalunya and both sides will be hurting bigtime. We could also include Andriy Arshavin to the mix as well, but he will be more of a wait and see deal.

If you really want to get an answer as to who came out rosy in this particular situation, you have to say Barcelona- by a fingernail.

Ok, they got the two roads goals they needed; to come out of the Emirates with a 2-2- draw is a great result to have. Just ask Porto. But you can counter by saying that they let a win slip away that could have all but surely sealed the deal for the Blaugrana. Whether the team put the foot off the gas too quickly or Pep Guardiola started to substitute too soon is irrelevant. They also did not cash in on opportunities or the main discussion of this tie would be which hotel Arsenal would stay in for the midweek getaway to Barcelona. They can only blame themselves and will probably come out motivated at home.

What you have to give credit to is Arsenal, who regrouped and continued to fight in order to get back in the match. The Gunners showed character being able to pick themselves up and continue going forward despite having to deal with the mountain of a task in front of them. An inspired Theo Walcott got them close, but it would be goal that Fábregas scored was inspirational for Arsenal. In the end they would pay dearly as reports coming out of England mention that the Spanish international could miss the rest of the season.

While Fábregas will be sorely missed on offense, Gallas is one of the anchors on defense. The French international, too, will also be missed as he might miss out on the rest of the season after suffering a calf injury.

Meanwhile, the present and future of Barcelona's backline will not be present in the return leg as Piqué was booked and Puyol was sent off late in the match by Massimo Busacca. That will allow him to play against Athletic, but be rested for El Clásico against Real Madrid.

Let's get one thing straight- Dimitro Chygrynskiy has become a punchline to many Barcelona jokes in the past season. we can all be sure that the from Shaktar Donestk man will not be near the pitch as Rafa Márquez and Gabriel Milito will be a central defense duo that could have Arsene Wenger licking his chops. There is also the possibilty of Touré Yaya playing at central defender as well. He would be able to match up against a Nicholas Bendtner or Emanuel Adebayor.

For Barca, leaving England with a 2-2 advantage is a deceptive illusion. Pep Guardiola should heed his own advice and go full throttle next week or they could be watching the Champions League final from home.