Arsenal Dominate Against Milan but the Rossoneri Still Go Through

 

It was very nearly the comeback of the decade.

Trailing four goals to nil, the stage was set for Arsenal to regain their pride after the sorry showing at the San Siro. Few of the fans thought that it was possible to turn the tide against the Italian giants, but a lot of Gunners were hoping for something akin to a miracle. And short of one goal—just one—a miracle was almost what they got.

Injured players aside, it was apparent from the starting lineup that despite the “five percent chance of winning”, Arsene Wenger fielded a very attacking XI. The intent was clear; this was obviously not a white flag, the Gunners will come with their, er, guns a-blazing. From a corner delivered by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Koscielny’s header found the inside of Milan’s goal at the 7th minute.

 

There was no stopping the Gunners after that. Just as they looked lost during the first leg, it was Milan’s turn to fall to pieces as the Arsenal players fielded attack after attack and barely gave them any possession. A brilliant goal from Rosicky at the 26th minute gave the game a whole new possibility that Arsenal could go through, especially if they could keep up the way they were playing. The Gunners felt it, and they increased the pressure on Milan. 

But Milan has started to tighten their defense and Arsenal got fewer chances in the dying minutes of the first half. And then—a boon!—Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down at the penalty area. It was only for a minute, but everyone’s breath was held until the Dutchman smashed the penalty successfully into the goal three minutes before half time. Arsenal was up 3-0 at the whistle!

Early in the second half, Milan nearly had their cinching goal with an unmarked El Shaarawy. The shot went wide and Arsenal was still at the running. But the second half was different than the first: Milan has finally found their footing. It was a half that no one could keep their eyes off, both teams were relentless in their attack and defending.

At the 59th minute, Abbiati made a double save from Gervinho’s strike and Van Persie’s follow-up. Szczesny made an equally important save on the other end at the 63rd minute with Ibrahimovic’s attempt, and then another one with substitute Nocerino’s low ball. It was nerve-wracking as the minutes ticked on. The next goal would determine who would push through to the quarter finals.

In the end, it was the lack of goal that determined the outcome. Milan goes through to the quarter finals with an aggregate of 4-3.

Arsenal’s Champions League campaign has ended this season, but it was a game that made every fan proud to be gooners, proud of their team who didn’t stop fighting till the bitter end. This win at home against the leaders of Serie A, coupled with the massive wins for the past two games just goes to show why you should never write off the Arsenal.

 

Referee: Damir Skomina

Goals: Koscielny, Rosicky, Van Persie (P)

Bookings: Sagna, Gibbs, Song (to miss the next game) || Van Bommel, Nocerino, Ibrahimovic

Substitutions: Chamakh (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 75th min), Park (Walcott, 83rd min) || Aquilani (El Shaarawi, 70th min), Bonera
(Mesbah, 89th min)

written by Janina Montoya