The Spaniards had lived up to their billing as favourites following a blistering start and a second-half double from Zlatan Ibrahimovic looked to have all but killed off the tie.
However, Theo Walcott came off the bench to pull a goal back before Fabregas - who will miss the second leg at his old club after being booked - smashed in a late penalty after Carles Puyol was sent off for fouling the midfielder in the box.
While Barcelona will still be favourites to progress, Arsene Wenger's young side again showed great character and could yet prove their doubters wrong once more with a similarly courageous display in the Nou Camp.
Arsenal were on the backfoot straight away in a frenetic opening, with Thomas Vermaelen cutting out a low ball into the six-yard box.
Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia - who had been at fault for Birmingham's stoppage-time equaliser on Saturday - was suddenly in the thick of the action as the Spaniard pulled off fine saves to deny Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi.
The hosts just could not get hold of the ball - a situation so alien here at Emirates Stadium.
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