Barcelona sent out another ominous warning to Arsenal last night as a hat-trick from Lionel Messi helped them to a 4-2 win over Real Zaragoza.
It was the Argentine's second three-goal haul in a week and kept the Catalans within touching distance of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga — the pair are separated by goal difference.
Messi's second goal came after a stunning dribble that evoked memories of Diego Maradona at his best.
Despite this, former Barca schoolboy Cesc Fabregas said he is still relishing the prospect of taking on Barcelona when Arsenal face the Catalan giants in the Champions League quarter-finals.
He said: "It is very exciting. We are going to play against the best team in Europe, probably in the world.
"The boys are looking forward to it. If we had drawn Bordeaux or Lyon we would have taken it the same way. We always go with the same mentality and that is to win."
