Lionel Messi was left gobsmacked by Arsenal player's comments after Barcelona drubbing in 2010

Lionel Messi was left gobsmacked by the comments of one Arsenal star after his four goals for Barcelona saw off the Premier League side in 2010.

The Catalan giants won 4-1 in a Champions League contest at the Nou Camp, with Argentina's football icon scoring all of the goals for the hosts, who were managed by Pep Guardiola at the time.

Ahead of Arsenal's return to the final eight of Europe's top club competition, Messi's recollection of that quarter-final clash, and the respect of a Gunners player, have resurfaced.

Messi, who was 22 years old at the time, revealed that an unnamed Arsenal player approached him after the game, and their words reflected how English clubs approached their games in UEFA competitions at the time - with 'physical' on-pitch battles followed by respect at the final whistle.

The Argentine player told the Mirror in 2010: 'One of the Arsenal players came up to me afterwards and said it had been an honour to be on the same pitch as me.

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Barcelona to eliminate Arsenal in the Champions League

'I thought, "My God, that is a great thing to say when your team has just lost". 

'I will always remember that. English clubs are physical and tough, and they play strong for the whole game. 

'But afterwards, they shake hands and they are fair.' 

Nicklas Bendtner put Arsenal ahead on the night after 18 minutes, and 3-2 up on aggregate, but a Messi masterclass turned the game on its head.

The Argentine player scored a first-half hat-trick to put Barcelona back in control, before a late solo strike sealed the contest for the hosts. 

Messi finished the tournament as the top scorer of the Champions League, with eight goals in that campaign, but Barcelona's bid to defend their crown was halted by eventual winners Inter Milan in the semi-finals.

On Tuesday, Guardiola's Man City side play their quarter-final first-leg away to Real Madrid, whilst Arsenal welcome Bayern Munich to the Emirates.

The following day, Barcelona play their Champions League contest away to PSG. 

Messi has continued his career in the United States, dazzling on his return from injury with a goal in Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Colorado Rapids on Saturday.