Another frustrating 90 minutes at the Arsenal. Not due to a lack of commitment or contest that 9,000 travelling gooners witnessed up at Old Trafford, but like an Arsenal side that couldn't find the back of the net at crucial times in games last season, a clinical edge to our attacks was missing. Many doubted that Milan's aging defence would be able to handle our fast and slick style of football. A.C. seemed to be the ideal tie for us. All due respect to Milan though. The European champions certainly proved that their aging defence were up to the task of handling Adebayor and co. Or was that the case? Adebayor's last gasp sitter, Eboue's miss, Cesc's shots straight down Kalac's throat, Ade's over hit pass that could've sent the spaniard through. Milan showed signs that their defence certainly wasn't unbreachable. Ancelloti, like Ferguson 4 days earlier, won the tactical battle with Arsène however. It was the classic Milan away leg performance, and the kind that makes European champions. Although Milan are now favourites to advance, this tie is certainly not dead in the water.
The day started with a nasty hangover, and the prospect of 200 odd miles of driving was a horrible one. Part and parcel of being a student you could say, and this was the return of the Champions League, and the tie that was so eagerly awaited. A stop off in Kettering to pick up the younger brother, a few mugs of tea, some dinner, and i couldn't wait to hopefully witness the first truly special European night at Ashburton Grove. The drive down the A1 was a breeze, and Holloway just as much so. 6pm, and the car was parked off Caledonian Road, and met up with my uncle who by coincidence, had just arrived too. Heading towards Caledonian Road, the Emirates lit up the North London skyline in the distance, and that undescribable feeling in the stomach was there. My uncle met with some of his mates to exchange some tickets for tomorrow's crucial premier league tie at Birimingham, before quickly departing at Holloway Road.
Ashburton Grove seemed quiet. It was, however, still an hour and a half until kick off, so we headed over the north bridge. The Italians, identically dressed in black jackets and scarfs, stood outside Arsenal station, in apparent awe of the english heritage and tradition of Arsenal Football Club. Chips and a battered sausage were purchased at the 'dead rat' cafe on the corner of Gillespie and Avenell Road, and i stood looking at the cranes that dominated what was once Highbury. This was the sort of European night that hadn't been felt at the Emirates, not since Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal all visitied and failed to halt our route to Paris. Back over the north bridge, and the voice of the Milan fans could be heard inside the ground. Departed from my uncle, and myself and Marc headed round to turnstile M and into the upper to block 121. Fantastic seats, directly above the Rossoneri supporters. For the whole hour leading up to the game, they did not stop singing, and that feeling of wishing i could be heading out to Milan as part of 3,000 travelling gooners was there. The hour disappeared, and following a mistake in the Arsenal line up that Denilson would be both starting, and on the bench, the players made their way out of the tunnel. It would've appeared from the starting XI, that Arsène had fielded a 4-4-2 formation. Pato, returning from injury, was the surprise inclusion for Milan.
The whistle blew, and the long awaited tie was underway. It was apparent from the first minute that Eduardo would be playing wide left, with Hleb just in behind Adebayor as the lone man up top. Eduardo is a fantastic striker, but a wide man he is not. It was clear though that Arsène had a plan of trying to minimise Pirlo's impact upon the game, that role down to Hleb who did not give Pirlo a minute all game. An early shot from Pato saw the end of Toure's game, and the resulting corner nearly putting Milan infront as Lehmann displayed fantastic reflexes to deny Maldini. Counter attack: Lehmann's long throw breaching Milan's defensive high line, but Nesta had the pace and experience to concede just a corner as Adebayor raced towards goal. Senderos' inclusion was imminent, and a few groans from fellow gooners could be heard. This was a man who was on the top of his form for Arsenal, and harshly dropped it could be said, from a side that defensively had been performing very well this calendar year with 'swiss tony' at the heart. The pace and ability of Kaka and Pato was the worry if Senderos was to be isolated, but the covering ability of full backs Sagna and Clichy meant that the Arsenal goal was to never really be worried for the remaining 85 minutes. The defence, whenever tested by an extremely negative Milan side, was outstanding. Senderos is proving to be undroppable, and must be giving Wenger selection headaches ahead of Toure's return, should his injury not be as bad as first thought. Phillipe showed the awareness and defensive ability to stop both Kaka and Pato during both halfs as they made their way into the area, and was fantastic all game. Clichy, yet again, impeccable. Sagna showed himself to be a true professional (the kind loved by Arsenal fans) after a difficult week, and yet another fantastic signing by Arsène. Captain Gallas' experience was invaluable.
Adebayor was the obvious target all game. It must've been drilled out all week long in training that Fabregas would be the creator in picking out the long balls that would hopefully put Adebayor in through on goal. The Milan defense couldn't cope, either relying on last ditch tackles, screwed shots or Adebayor's disappointing first touch that could've so easily given us the lead early in the second half. Adebayor however was too isolated up top by himself. The long ball left him with alot to do, and there was a clear gap between the midfield and himself. Whilst the likes of Pirlo, Gattuso and Ambrosini didn't get a touch, or a second on the ball due to the system, Adebayor was always left with alot to do. Eboue attempted to support, as did Eduardo, but alot of the time it meant that Adebayor was dragged out wide and any delivery into the box wasn't threatening. Chances in the first half were limited. In fact, a resolute fan across the ground being ejected was the highlight at one point. Chances came through the midfield marauder, Mathieu Flamini. A transformed man. Who would've thought a year ago that Flamini would ever be able to control the likes of the world player of the year, Kaka. He controlled the game, and Kaka has probably only just been let out of Mathieu's pocket this evening. A toss up between himself and Senderos for man of the match.
Half time came and went, and the match was on a knife edge. Neither side really looked threatening going forward in a cagey first half, but the Milan defence and midfield occasionally looked stretched. The second half, was all Arsenal. Fabregas was influential, and Eboue had the chance that looked set to give us the lead, but he dragged his shot wide. The whole ground was finally in full voice, and the scarves and songs from across the Emirates within block 5 could finally be seen and heard. The feeling was there that a goal would come. Adebayor had the ball in the net and the vast majority on their feet but was clearly offside, and a sliding Eduardo flashed the ball over the bar. Frustration set in, and Milan looked threatening on the break and enjoyed some possession. Arsène seemed frightened to change his tactics in fear of an away goal, and the game was crying out for Bendtner or Eduardo to join Adebayor up top. Sagna and Clichy, whilst fantastic defensively, seemed controlled in their forward running, and Eboue had an arguable penalty shout turned down, and his reputation was rewarded with a yellow card.
As the fans began to pour out of the Emirates and beat the rush to the stations, the fresh pace of Walcott burst down the right and sent in a cross that strikers dreams are made of. Maldini switched off, and Adebayor was left with the chance to get the goal that Arsenal deserved. The header, from my view, looked in, but instead the ball was sent into the air as it crashed against the crossbar, and a cry of distress echoed around the ground. THE chance was wasted.
0-0 was a scoreline that many would have been happy with before kick off, but the scoreline amongst many gooners leaving Ashburton Grove felt like a defeat. Spirits were still high though, and a score draw at the San Siro by no means looks out of the question. The tie, however, should be wrapped up. Milan will have to certainly at least push forward in search for a goal. It was the classic away performance though by Milan, and many times they've gone back to the San Siro and got the result needed. Milan were lucky. Their defence was certainly not as organised and resolved as many have made out. Arsenal, like at the Bernabeu, can become the first English side to win at the historical ground.
Italian Job, Part II
