So
close to pull off one of the biggest comebacks in European football. It was our
chance to make history. Considered underdogs and having only an outside chance
before the start of the match, not many but Wenger believed that his team could
make it. We showed class, spirit and character. But fairy tales don’t happen
every day and Arsenal’s night ended in glorious failure.
It’s
that kind of feeling that is hard to describe. One where Arsenal displayed one
of the best performances in European Championships which was filled with spirit
and verve. But, failed to qualify to the next round due to a poor show in the
first leg in Milan City.
Milan
came to London as favorites to go through, thanks to their 4-0 win at home. And
if history and legacy had something to talk about, Milan (seven times) along
with Real Madrid (nine times) have won maximum Champions League trophies. So,
Milan just needed to ensure they defended that margin or fill one in the 90
minutes at the same time, allowing less than 4 to Arsenal. But owing to a poor
show from their striker Ibrahimovic and a lackluster tempo throughout, gifted
easy goals within the first 10 minutes. A very good in-swinging corner by
Oxlade-Chamberlain found an unmarked Koscielny to finish with the perfect
header in the 7th minute to give Arsenal the lead. Rosicky’s second was largely due to a bizarre
clearance from Silva inside the box. And with sluggish defending by Mesbah,
Oxlade-Chamberlain won a penalty which van Persie converted with one of the
best penalty kicks ever that is almost impossible to save. HT: Arsenal 3-0
Milan.
The
second half was less fascinating (in all honesty) and I think it was due to
some intent shown by Milan players as well as fatigue to Arsenal players
especially when Oxlade-Chamberlain was found struggling due to cramps early in
the second half. There were chances at both ends but nobody really finished it
off. Szczęsny
saved a couple of times and Abbiati also managed a few easy saves but what was
disappointing was the confusion among the mid-fielders and the strikers when
they had the ball and were free to go. Walcott could have easily taken a U-turn
and shot with force with his left foot when he ran into the box instead of
winning a corner in the 54th minute.
There
were several positives from the game. In the post-match comments, Wenger
mentioned that “the players gave a faultless performance”, which was almost
true (except the van Persie chip and the Rosicky-Gervinho one-two inside the
box). Rosicky has found his form and usefulness to the side with his movements
in the middle. Oxlade-Chamberlain continues to show he’s got it for top first
class football. Walcott is providing all the assists that van Persie needs and
the defense line (Koscielny, Varmaelean, and Sagna) are becoming more and more
formidable by the day, which is something that Arsenal needs because their
attacking line is in great form.
This
team has quality. This team can fight. Walcott, Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain,
van Persie, Rosicky, Koscielny, Song, Szczęsny, all had their moments and played
impactful part in the match. What was a heroic effort will remain
etched in Arsenal history as a heroic effort and that’s that. If van Persie had
taken his shot at the rebound off Abbiati rather than trying to be clever, the
match would’ve been fought at extra time and with the kind of cheer from the
supporters, the motivation among the players, just about everything the game was
about, Arsenal might have just pulled it off. Now, out of FA Cup and Champions
League, Arsenal can focus on finishing well in the premiership ahead of
Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle, all breathing down heavily.
Come On You Gunners !
Match Statistics
Arsenal AC Milan
Yellow
Cards 3 4
Possession 46% 54%
Corners 5 1
Shots 14 18
Goals 3 0
