Champions League - Milan crush Arsenal
Milan thrashed a hapless Arsenal side 4-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at the San Siro, giving Thierry Henry a muted send-off in his last game before returning to New York.
Former Tottenham midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng opened the scoring with a brilliant finish on the quarter-hour, with ex-Manchester City forward Robinho adding a brace either side of half-time as players who flopped in England came back to haunt the Gunners.
Man-of-the-match Zlatan Ibrahimovic won and converted a penalty as the Swede continued his run of scoring in every Champions League match he has played this season.
Henry came on at half-time ahead of his return to MLS but he had a limited impact as he and Robin van Persie were starved of the ball by a midfield that passed like a Sunday team at times.
While the hosts played well going forward, Arsenal sunk without a trace, Arsene Wenger’s slightly eccentric team selection punished by a Rossoneri side missing a host of injured players.
Maximiliano Allegri’s Serie A leaders had gone out of European competition to English sides at the last three times of asking, while talismanic forward Ibrahimovic has historically been accused of going missing in the big games, particularly against Premier League opposition.
But on a chilly night in Italy both these ghosts were laid to rest in emphatic style, as Arsenal - missing the injured Per Mertesacker - fell apart in defence and froze in attack.
Ibra - who despite his alleged Anglophobia has scored against Arsenal for Barcelona - pulled the strings, getting an assist and a goal in the process.
There is no great shame in losing to the best side in Italy, but Arsenal were never at the races, and Milan - despite the absences of Gennaro Gattuso, Alberto Aquilani, Mathieu Flamini and Antonio Cassano - exploited it to full effect.
Wenger curiously elected to play with no left-winger, dropping exciting youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the bench and utilising a more advanced Kieran Gibbs as an attacking left-back, the England defender surprisingly selected despite four months out injured.
That move shunted Thomas Vermaelen into his usual centre-back position, a slot vacated by the injured Mertesacker, whose presence was sorely missed after overcoming initial teething problems at Arsenal.
The defensive hesitance was clear for Arsenal, particularly with the Belgian, who was caught out of position on a number of occasions but spared by Laurent Koscielny.
Koscielny was at partly fault when Milan took the lead, although it was some finish from Boateng. A poor kick from Wojciech Szczesny was sent back upfield by Antonio Nocerino, whose long ball dropped over the shoulder of the Ghana midfielder: he took it on his chest and, with the Frenchman floundering, knocked a fabulous shot into the roof of the net.
Nocerino, an all-action figure cutting inside from the right, fizzed a spectacular effort of his own inches over, while Szczesny had to be alert after Vermaelen let Ibrahimovic past him.
Vermaelen slipped another time but was bailed out by Koscienly before Robinho could pounce, but Milan had their second soon afterwards.
In addition to the uncertainty at the back, the attempt to narrow the midfield was disastrous as Arsenal had minimal possession while Ibrahmovic simply dropped deeper, pulling the strings as a playmaker-forward.
The Swede was having a field day and he exploited some poor defending from Bacary Sagna to lollop in down the left.
Arsenal felt he was offside but there was no excuse for Sagna’s failure to chase down a man to whom he would normally beat in any foot-race: Ibra took advantage of the Frenchman’s sluggishness to flick a sweet left-foot cross that the unmarked Robinho cleverly met with an improvised header inside the bottom right.
Much will be made of Arsenal’s poor defending but, as if to highlight a collective malaise, that counter attack started when Tomas Rosicky gave the ball away with a terrible pass when he had men over.
The half had seven minutes remaining and it seemed Milan would run riot: however, Arsenal managed to keep the scoreline respectable as - after Koscielny came off injured - replacement Johan Djourou left Ibra-sized gaps at the back, his Swiss defender’s blushes spared by Boateng’s poor finish and a brave stop from Szczesny on Antonini.
Wenger acted by introducing Henry at half-time but, despite a promising start, there would be no repeat of his Sunderland heroics, the 34-year-old helpless as Robinho smashed home a second to make it 3-0: whereas the shaky Vermaelen had previously avoided punishment for his errors, this time his slip gave the Brazilian a sight of goal that he took with aplomb, drilling in a fine low strike that Szczesny was nowhere near.
Arsenal needed something, just an away goal to take the edge off defeat and give them a hint of a comeback at the Emirates.
But they offered close to nothing, their midfield barely noticeable as Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and a poor Aaron Ramsey were unable to create anything, the latter particularly wasteful with his attempts at long-range passing.
And when a half-chance did come Henry was the creator, his cool flick landing over the shoulder of Van Persie, whose excellent volley was equalled by a top save from Christian Abbiati.
Finally Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought on but, with three quarters of the match gone and the score at 3-0, it was too little too late.
Milan got a deserved fourth when Ibrahimovic was finally rewarded for his masterful performance, ghosting past the hapless Djourou who hauled him down clumsily: the former Juventus, Barcelona and Inter forward drilled a low penalty past the dive of Szczesny to complete the rout.
Arsenal tried in vain to get an away goal on the board, Van Persie’s header drawing a decent stop from Abbiati, but Milan could and should have added to the rout as substitute Alexandre Pato was wasteful when put through twice late on.
Arsenal have little hope of progress, short of a miracle and outright capitulation by Milan in three weeks' time: the real question is whether they can pick themselves up in time for the weekend’s FA Cup fixture at Sunderland, or if they will collapse after a poor result like the second half of last season, where a Carling Cup defeat to Birmingham derailed their campaign.
Comment 372 - 391 of 391
Wenger never had a plan to win. He plans after he lost the game....But, why this coach is there for years? He put talented players like Chamberlain and never accepts fans complain. If only Chamberlain were a french. Get down this man you boring Arsenal Board of directors...but if you enjoy Arsenal fans' contributions, we know you never mind at all. Seven years is just a week for you....boring Boards.
Is time for Mr Wenger to leave Arsenal. i think he done his best and should go with respect. Arsenal knew Fab and Nasri were going to leave the club, the man waited till the last drop before thinking about replacement. before Ferguson could push Ronaldo out he already had a replacement. Now VAN PERSIE not yet sign an extension, what does that mr wenger? he is again waiting.in short, the manager is employed by the Board not Fans/supporters. This is really a disgrace for the club and all ex players how have made arsenal to be....... Arsene is profit to the board and loss to the fans and supporters. i think we need to boycott the club home matches maybe they would get the message.
from. samuel cole
Arsenal have got a rubbish club rubbish manager rubbish players and a rubbish kit.SACK WENGER!
DONTO, you have to remember that Sir Alex is already building his new side. Perhaps if Wenger didn't look at passports,average foreign players like ' Arseshaven et el' you wouldn't be in this mess. Just watched UTD play tonight, it was great to see 6/7-
Enlish players on the pitch, i would say it's been a very long time since your united nations could boast that.Utd will be up there this seaon, they may not win it, however i know that the future looks extremely bright at UTD....
Arsenal got exactly what they deserved last night & that wall "F" all! Could'nt believe the mess their in on the field. Koshelni charging foward while Walcott & Ramsey coming behind to try & plug the gap. Arsenal could not constructively go foward, no speed in attack. They remind me of an under 11 football match with eleven players racing after the ball. Ibrahimovich, is he not about 35, going past Arsenal's right back to cross for one of the Milan goals. Untouchable Venger, needs the boot.
need t'old squad with the likes of bergkamp, adams & wiltord back - not forgetting the legend that is pascal cygan, those were days in the barclycard premiership of 2002
ha ha,will be out of F.A cup this weekend followed by a beating at home from Spurs..........arseand wanger will be on his bike before the end of the season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A job waiting for you Jose Marinio !
@Peter 387, clutching at straws?
@George,
You should pray not to let 4 goals in again !! This milan is not what you saw in the past. It will crush any English side right now !! Remember how napoli crushed EPL's 1st team. lol lol lol lol ........................etc
Relegation issues next season?
Hey onludunsin, do you mean "consistency" ?
at least we are still in champions league just man u and man city are in no hopers league and spurs were knocked out of no hopers league by no hopers come on arsenal fans get behind your team
It's good to see Man U fans gloating about Arsenal. Yes Arsenal are in decline and Wenger is living on past glory. History has shown us that Great clubs cannot stay at the top forever. Look at Leeds, look at Liverpool. In the early 1960s, Spurs were magnificent. Their "double side" was unbeatable on their day. They fell from the heights and some 50 years later Harry is bringing them back. Now you Man U fans should take care. Man U were knocked out of three competitions this season and have some really old players and some 30 something defenders whose young replacements are nowhere near as good as them.
Arsenal will need to rebuild under a new manager like Jose, the "special one" They will be back at the top with new management and hopefully some big tough defenders who can actually defend. They might avenge the 8-2
Well funny this,English footy rubbish,
Arsenal's thrashing in Milan just highlights how low they have fallen. Arsene Wenger has arrived in this position because he is pig headed and did not buy the right players in last Augusts transfer window. He should have got Samba and Cahill and a top quality left back. Gibbs is injury prone and only worth keeping for cover. He should have shown Djourou the door. Arsenal will struggle to make the top 4 this season and it's all down to Wenger. It's great that fans are loyal to this great manager but everyone has a sell by date and Wenger's has arrived with a vengence. The early season humiliation by Man U was the point when Wenger must have realised he had lost the plot. We need to get Jose, "the special one". There are some exceptional young players at Arsenal but they must have top quality defenders with them. Please go Arsene before you spoil your greatness.
Milan played as they would have played all the games. ! WE WERE AWESOME. !
FORZA MILAN
Common people this tie is certainly not over, I will not write off Arsenal chances. AC Milan is not a such a great side away from home in Europe, quick early goals in the return leg by Arsenal will see Milan capitulate!! Remember Deportivo La Coruna stunned AC Milan with one of the greatest comebacks seen in Champion League history. In their 2004 Champions League quarter final tie, AC Milan sealed a great first-leg advantage with a 4-1 victory at the San Siro before suffering an embarrassing exit following a 0-4 defeat two weeks later. History will repeat it self. Come on Arsenal fans have some faith in your team and manager!
-Man united fan.
ARSENHOLE WHINER (aka arsen wenger) - has record of 6 years of UTTER FAILURE & MISERY, but proudly keeps leading Arsenal into new defeats and new humiliations.
Blessed is one who has job like wenger - NO CLUE, NO SUCCESS, NO responsibility, NO accountability, . ONLY FAILURE, - but NOOOO PROBLEM
Arsenal - HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Sorry loyal Arsenal fans, but when you have INCOMPETENT IDIOT for a coach you can not expect any better.
Arsenal is THE ONLY TEAM IN THE WORLD TO REWARD INCOMPETENCE AND FAILURE!!!
After failing in EVERY YEAR for last 6 years - Arsenal continues extending contract & keeping IDIOT coach wenger.
Well then - you got what you deserve - KEEP FUC.KING LOSER wenger AND STAY LOSERS !!!!!
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