Firstly apologies for not posting pre-match its been a busy few days due to one thing or another. Last night we went knowing that our team had almost an impossible job of beating AC Milan 5-0, after the first 45 it suddenly seemed much more likely. I arrived at the Emirates thinking if we win tonight I'll be happy and I left very happy. The stadium was surprisingly more busy than I anticipated, obviously the usual empty seats from those who couldn't be bothered or just saw it as a total lost cause. As we took our seats I noticed a lot of Italians knocking around in the home end which might have been problematic but actually made for some light hearted banter especially at the half. The atmosphere was very strange pre-kick off, I'm not really sure how to describe it, those that were there will know what I mean.
So we kicked off and it was immediately clear that Allegri had set out to defend, after a raft of early warnings, Koscielny nodded it past Abiati from a Chamberlain corner just 6 minutes in. This lifted the crowd and swiftly silenced the Milan fans behind me. 20 minutes later after a RVP shot was parried and poorly cleared Rosicky side footed it into the corner, 2-0 and now we started to feel it was possible. The atmosphere had shifted from that weird, anxiousy feeling to one a belief. We continued to press and looked threatening, Milan sat back and tried to absorb it all but it simply wasn't working. Then with less than 5 minutes to go Alex Oxlade Chamberlain darted into the box and was shut off but 2 Milan players, after thinking for what seemed like an age the ref (who was bollocks by the way) pointed to the spot. RVP stepped up and cooly sent the keeper the wrong way. Now the Emirates was pumping.
Obviously at the half everyone was up for it and the Milan fans were deflated and looking severely worried. Clearly Allegri had some thinking to do and the second half was different to the first. We kicked off and looked sluggish and didn't really look threatening at all. Milan sured up and the back and were more dangerous looking for that decisive away goal that would have killed the game. We had our chances though notably from Van Persie and Gervinho that would have drawn the tie level and made the remainder of the half very interesting. Gervinho was poor last night always looked to go down the wing where he found no joy rather than cutting inside trying to find the space. Apart from that we didn't look threatening at all really.
As Laurent Koscielny put it "we just ran out of steam" and it appeared that way. Despite our best effort the match finished 3-0 Arsenal and despite losing the tie last night the players were giving a standing ovation. It was well earned and everyone seemed happy with the result, hopefully we can take the momentum into Newcastle on Monday. We've scored 15 goals in the last 3 home games which is very impressive.
Until Sunday have a good week. COYG!
You just couldn't write it. Thierry Henry's last PL game (again) and of course he scored the winner in the last minute. True class as always. It was a massive win for us and a massive 3 points to see up go back into fourth, albeit by goals scored but still fourth. Sunderland are a difficult team and to get a result was encouraging. However with the greatest respect to Sunderland we're facing arguably the toughest test of the season so far tonight.
In recent years we have a good record in the San Siro winning 2-0 in March 2008 and of course hammering Inter 5-1 in 2003. History is also on out side with Italian teams often faltering against English opposition, but of course in these games history is irrelevant. It all comes down to the performance on the night, as we found last year. We went out "without a hope" of beating Barcelona and the rest as they say is history. There is no doubt we can turn it on when we want too, lets hope the lads can turn it on tonight.
I think its vital that we get at least a score draw. Obviously a win would be great but I think the importance of an away goal may be the difference in what I can see being a tight tie. That said, we need to remember there are 2 legs to this game and that come full time tonight we're only half way there. I don't think there will be a lot of change to our team obviously bar Mertesacker who, bless him, isn't having the best time at the moment. I think Robbie Fowler being the wanker that he is may have been a bit harsh saying that it was Per's fault that Sunderland scored after he went down injured, but anyway I think this will see the manager shift Vermaelen back in and play Gibbs. He has other options if he thinks this might be a bit too intense for Gibbs who hasn't played in a while, but he's got to come back some time and its not like we have an easy game in the near future. The only other decision will be the choice between Rosicky and Ramsey, which I would think he'll choose Thomas purely because of experience.
AC Milan of course are an Italian superpower and sit top of the league, even though its very tight. Their strike force of Robinho, Pato and KP Boateng have been lethal this season and we'll need to watch their incisive moves tonight. Ibrahimovic is another option upfront and the midfield has the likes of Gattuso, Seedorf, Aquilani etc. so certainly no lack of talent.
Tonight will be tough, but it will be open and there's no reason to think we go into it without a hope. COYG!
Prediction: AC Milan 1-1 Arsenal
