With the teams level on the night at 1-1 and the Gunners holding a 3-2 aggregate lead, the Holland forward was shown a harsh second yellow card for lashing a shot at goal having already been given offside.

Barca went on to win 3-1 and complete a 4-3 aggregate success, and Van Persie told Sky Sports 2: "I think (the red card) had a big influence.

"I think it's a total joke - how can I hear this whistle with 95,000 people jumping up (and shouting)?"

Just a second elapsed between referee Massimo Busacca blowing his whistle and Van Persie striking the ball, and the latter continued: "That makes it even worse. I cannot understand that view from the ref.

"If there were four, five, six seconds in between, you can make a check (for offside). One second, it's a joke.

"I tried to explain there were 95,000 people jumping up, how can I hear the whistle?

"He's been bad all evening, whistling against us. I don't know why he's here tonight.

"We feel betrayed a bit, when it was 1-1 it was all to play for and in my opinion this referee killed the game."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports 2: "We lost against a good team. In the first half we resisted pressure - I think the second would have been very interesting if we had stayed 11 against 11 - unfortunately it was not the case.

"There are regrets when you see how we went out - the way we did, it is very difficult to accept."

On Van Persie's second booking, he said: "With the people shouting, if he takes his chance I see no reason to give a second yellow card. To do that, (the referee) must absolutely have never played football.

"I told him what I think about his decision face to face and there is not a lot more to say."

Wenger's opposite number Pep Guardiola sympathised over Van Persie's dismissal but preferred to focus on his own side's display.

He told Sky Sports 2: "Arsenal defended very, very well but they didn't make more than three passes (in succession) - it was difficult with 10 against 11 and after the situation with the second yellow, I can understand the reaction.

"We created a lot of chances, we played a perfect game. We're so, so happy about our performance. Over the two legs, we were better than them."