Most important was that we kept a clean sheet. We did that. 1-0 or 2-0 would have been nice but the priority was keeping a clean sheet. I do not believe we have granted Milan the advantage tonight. Milan now have to beat us (unless that game finishes 0-0 in which case we will go into extra time.) They will be more attacking minded and more threatening when we pay our visit to the San Siro but they will also be wary of conceding an away goal. If we score first in Italy what a blow mentally that will be to Milan who will have to score two goals at least to rescue the game.
The performance from everyone collectively was excellent. This was Arsenal at their near best. What we lacked was a killer touch in front of goal. We might have hit the target several times but what we did not do was test the Milan keeper enough. Cesc Fabregas was back to form, the best he has been since before his injury but he has lost the goal scoring touch he had at the beginning of the season. He needs that goal scoring confidence back.
Kudos to Philippe Senderos. He has been very solid in the absence of Kolo Toure and was called upon again today after Kolo was taken off early. This was his best game yet. Senderos would be a perfect center back in the Serie A. In England pace is more of a necessity for your center backs and he does not have pace. Which isn’t to say he cannot be a very good player for us - he is showing signs of maturing well and it is great to have someone of his ability to cover Gallas and Toure in instances that they are unavailable.
Collectively it was very good though - Hleb, Clichy, Flamini and Sagna all had good games. Hleb in particular looked on fire, a completely different player to the one he was last season.
Creatively and defensively we were spot on. This was the best Arsenal performance I have seen in a while and one of the most exciting 0-0’s I have seen in a while too. In the second half we upped the pace and you thought the goal was coming. We just were not clinical enough, once or twice over elaborate even.
Theo Walcott comes on for the final five minutes and produces a little magic to beat his man that I would like to see more often from him and then a very good cross which finds Adebayor. Somehow he misses, finding the cross bar instead of the net. That came in the dying seconds of the 93rd minute and I cannot tell you how much I would have erupted with joy had it indeed gone in.
I am optimistic and I think we have valid reason to be optimistic as well. We were very good tonight and showed Milan what we’re about. We also kept a clean sheet and so while they will be at home, they will be wary of that. A goal scoring draw is not an option. Milan have to win (or keep it 0-0 and do us on penalties.)
If we can turn up like we did tonight and be more clinical I am confident victory will be ours.
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