As the final whistle was blown last night, at the Emirates Stadium, the applause from the Arsenal fans saluting their side was deafening. Their club may have just been eliminated from the Champions League, but the performance they had witnessed was simply outstanding. The Gunners came into this game seemingly without a prayer. Robinho, who had scored two of the four goals in Milan had labelled the task impossible, however following Saturday’s win at Liverpool the belief in the Arsenal dressing room was sky high. After that 2-1 victory, Robin Van Persie had claimed “impossible is nothing” and the Gunners did everything in their power to prove their captain right.
The fans inside the stadium played their part too. They have often been castigated by the media and opposition supporters for being far too quiet. The cynics claim Emirates Stadium does not even come close to equalling the magic atmosphere at Highbury, well, last night, from the very first minute to the last, the stadium was rocking. The vast majority of the Gunners faithful recognised that qualification to the quarter-finals would involve a miracle and just wanted to see some pride restored after the anguish in Milan and while their team delivered the atmosphere was electric.
With Arsene Wenger’s midfield decimated by injuries, the Frenchman decided to field Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle of the park, alongside Rosicky and Song. This decision proved to be a masterstroke as the Gunners completely dominated the game from the very first minute. Straight from the kick off they signalled their intension by surging forward and applying pressure to the Milan defence. The men in red and white rushed and harried their opponents as they pressed high up the pitch and chased every ball, in search of the early goal which would instil belief in their arduous task. This arrived in the sixth minute when Oxlade-Chamberlain’s in-swinging corner was met by Koscielny, who had wriggled free from his marker to send the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal and give Arsenal a one-nil lead on the night.
The Gunners continued to surge forward in search of more and Abbiati pulled off two great saves to deny Van Persie. But in the 26th minute Arsenal had their second goal through Thomas Rosicky. Walcott’s square ball was cut out but could only be cleared straight to Rosicky, who calmly passed the ball into the net. Game on!! Ever since those woeful displays in Milan and then Sunderland, the Czech international has been completely transformed. In the victories against Tottenham and Liverpool he was imperious and last night was no different, his performance was outstanding. Rosicky was at the centre of Arsenal’s attacking play, his incisive passing was second to none and his sheer endeavour, a joy to behold as he fought for every ball. Even when he had clearly picked up an injury midway through the second half, he refused to give in and continued to show the passion and desire which so many, including myself, have accused this team of lacking.
Two-nil up on the night and with the crowd in great voice, Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up the ball with three minutes of the first half remaining. The young Englishman used his searing pace to run directly at the Milan defence, only for Daniel Mesbah to haul him down in the box. The referee, who had given Milan soft free kicks time and time again, had no option but to award Arsenal a penalty. Up stepped Van Persie to send Abbiati the wrong way and the belief inside the Emirates soaring. A banner held up in the Clock End said it all “We Believe.”
Unfortunately it just wasn’t meant to be. In the second half Arsenal’s players tired following that great effort in the first period. They still chased and pressed Milan high up the pitch, but were now finding it difficult to maintain possession especially in midfield. However, early in the second half the Gunners had a glorious opportunity to restore parity over the two legs. Gervinho was sent free on the right flank, he cut inside and his shot took a deflection which so often leaves the goalkeeper wrong footed and helpless as the ball squirms into the goal. On this occasion however, Abbiati managed to block the shot with his feet, the rebound fell to Van Persie who attempted to dink the ball over the goalkeeper, but the Italian managed to block that effort too. It’s difficult to ascertain what would have happened had Arsenal scored at this stage of the game, but as the Gunners tired they struggled to create any further clear cut opportunities. On a few occasions, when they broke away on the counter attack they just could not find that killer pass and ultimately ran out of time.
At the final whistle the Arsenal players were clearly shattered. They had given all they could but had just fallen agonisingly short and were extremely disappointed. However they should all take great pride in that performance, the fans showed their appreciation for what had been a wonderful effort against the odds as they sang their hearts out for the team. When they reflect on this game the players can take great satisfaction from a truly fantastic performance. They have beaten the Italian league leaders 3-0 and completely dominated the game. Ibrahimovic, who had caused the Arsenal defence so much pain in the first leg only troubled the Linesman’s arm last night as the Swede was caught off-side on numerous occasions, with the Milan attack effectively nullified. The Gunners showed exactly what they are capable of, if we had two fit midfielders on the bench to freshen things up in the middle of the park we may well have even achieved the impossible and won the tie. After such a tremendous effort, in which several players ended the game carrying an injury, the next league match against Newcastle will be extremely difficult. However after this game the Gunners must continue to fight and show the desire and hunger they displayed yesterday. After last night’s display we are all proud Gooners!
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