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The Gunners manager was impressed with what he saw from the Blaugrana's free-scoring South American trio, who between them scored every Barca goal in the 5-1 aggregate win.

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger showered praise on Barcelona after going down in the Champions League last 16, admitting the talents of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are almost unplayable. 

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Wenger watched as each member of the MSN scored at Camp Nou to seal a 3-1 home victory.

Mohamed El Neny's fantastic long-range strike was the only consolation for the Gunners, who nevertheless put up a spirited resistance that belied the 5-1 aggregate score.

“I’m pleased with the performance. The quality of our game was good. The performance shows our season is not over," the manager told reporters at a press conference. 

“I am disappointed with the result but we played a team with the best three strikers I’ve seen.

“From nothing they can create a chance. You must admire art. They have two or three players with the ability to transform normal life into art.

"Of course for me it is suffering as well but it is exceptional what Messi does."

Wednesday's loss marks the sixth consecutive season that Arsenal have exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage.

But Wenger insisted that every game should be just on its own merits.  

 “I give you the stats (six in a row). We have to consider game by game. You look at the positives and negatives and prepare for the next one," he said. 

 
“We have gone out against top sides, who went on and won the Champions League after. On one occasion we were completely guilty, against Monaco. The others were against Bayern and Barcelona twice.”