Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has paid tribute to his team-mate, Theo Walcott for his huge impact he brought on Wednesday when Arsenal came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw with Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal.

Theo Walcott scored the first goal 20 minutes before the final whistle which boosted the morale of the home side who were outplayed in almost all 90 minutes.

"Theo made such a difference," Fabregas told club’s official site. "He went behind them. He created a lot of problems and I think he was the best player.

"We were dead at 2-0. You could never imagine we could come back. In the first half we never saw the ball. You thought you were going to get the ball then  they changed sides. In the second half they scored two great goals but we had great spirit and comeback. Not everyone does that against a side like them.

"Overall it was an amazing experience and an amazing game. I will remember it for the rest of my life. My injury makes it bad but I think I would have done it anyway without being injured before."

Fabregas who scored second goal through penalty kick, is schedule to miss next Tuesday’s second leg tie in Spain due to his second booking but believes the team can definitely do it without him.

"The team can definitely do it without me," said Fabregas, whose booking means he misses the return. "Barcelona have lost big players like Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique so I don't think it is the same without them."