nice old dennis! surely not!

Im afraid so!

First things first: congratulations Arsenal!! That was a stunning performance…one I certainly didn’t see coming. To become the first English side to beat AC Milan in their own stadium is an incredible achievement.

I wouldn’t say Arsenal outclassed Milan, because to me that would suggest that Arsenal’s players are a class above Milan’s, which I would wholeheartedly disagree with. But I will say that, for the majority of both games, Arsenal outplayed Milan and were fully deserving of their victory. It’s clear that Milan are not at the level they played last season in the Champions’ League, but I would attribute some of that to Arsenal’s technical ability and fitness. But Milan certainly looked second to the ball on Tuesday…none more so than when Walcott came from nowhere to beat Maldini and set up the second goal. That was my favourite moment of the match, particularly because Walcott is English and he put a legend on his backside.

This match was won in the midfield. Fabregas had an amazing match, and he dovetailed brilliantly with Flamini’s energy and tackling. For Milan, Andrea Pirlo had one of the worst matches I can remember him playing for quite a while, and if he, the Milan playmaker, cannot control the midfield then Kaka has to drop deeper and hence the forward line are starved of the ball. Gattuso couldn’t hassle and harry like he normally does because of Arsenal’s passing ability, they transferred the ball before he could get anywhere near them.

I don’t buy into this “theory” that Kaka was poor and that he was shackled. I was watching him and Fabregas in particular in this match and the difference was the options available to each player – whereas Fabregas had Adebayor, Hleb, Diaby etc. making runs left, right and centre for him, Kaka didn’t such luxuries. If he passed to Inzaghi, the linesman’s flag would go up. Pato made a couple of runs peeling away to the right channel but he didn’t make the impact his team required. So Milan were over reliant on the Brazilian forward. For me, Kaka was Milan’s best player – he was at the heart of their best moves.

I think we’ve seen the end of this AC Milan team now. They need serious rebuilding. Berlusconi might even think about a new manager. If so, then I reckon Mourinho would be perfect for them. Just a hunch. It was would harsh on Ancelotti who has had great success with the club and would deserve a chance to rebuild, but I just have a feeling that Berlusconi might freshen things up totally. As for Arsenal, this could put their season back on track. If their confidence isn’t restored after knocking out the European Champions in their own backyard, then nothing will.

But thing is clear for me – English sides are running the show in Europe now. And, unless the draw is unkind, I reckon we could see an all English final for the first time.

don't be greedy.. it ain't good.. you know.. lol..

yeah.. of course you'll still stay put on the top of the table after this weekend.. since we aren't playing.. well.. still pretty busy with the fa cup match.. on the way to reach the second treble actually.. haha..

yeah i agree about Kaka ....i didnt think he was poor at all really , he was just limited in what he could do ...ended up trying to go it alone on a few occasions and nearly got through one time . He has amazing pace ....he managed to beat Clichy on one run and he is not a slow player , the best player for Milan without a doubt .

All this talk about Milan were tired bla bla bla, In Italy they had a WINTER BREAK, while in England they never stop playing so that excuse is wrong. Arsenal are also challenging for a Premier League title. They also made it to the semi of the Carling Cup and the last 16 of the FA Cup all these fixtures add up while Milan were able to rest before this game because they are not challenging for the title in Italy. Last season when Man United were beaten everybody was saying that they were outclassed yet they were tired and missing key players like Evra, Vidic, Neville and Carrick. While Milan again were only concentrating on the Champions League. So every real football fan will know Arsenal outclassed Milan even though they were missing Van Persie, Rosicky and Toure.

I admit, Milan are not on form this season. It just seems like everything out of order.

i have not seen anybody suggest Milan's 'tiredness' was the reason for the result.

anybody else care to elaborate?

Oddo was Milan's best player over two legs for me.

Kaká showed a few moments of inspiration when Flamini was sorting out somebody else, but when Flamini was tracking him, Kaká might as well have been on a completely different pitch.

Pato was useless as well. Even when he was given a glorious chance he spooned it. He was worse than Eboué and gave Senderos no real problems. Inzaghi looked the only real threat, early on he made some good runs and a few sneaky shots on target but that threat was soon nullified by our Defence.

As Johaldo said, all the work was done in the middle of the park. Cesc and Flamini bossed the game and gave Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf (first leg) and Kaká a massive test. Their Defence was excellent for long spells over both games. Despite our dominance in Midfield, we rarely tested Kalac much because the Milan Defence was just full of experience and knowledge, Adebayor couldn't break them down on his own. But we came through in the end. Fantastic result.

I hope we get Man Utd in the next round.

probably last year's milan could have beat Arsenal, because they run, run, run, run, they had a lot of chances but the had difficulties to score, against a milan that I never saw playing so bad
its funny when I see that in the last 4 years the champions of europe had been kicked off before quarter finals (porto,Liverpool,barcellona,milan)
probably that yokohama travel in the middle of the season its not good for the players
congratulations to Arsenal thought

oh yeah, probably only english teams outclass other teams, and when english teams looooose is always because they were tired.
english teams are invincible , the only weak part is that they get tired often when they have to win a Champions League, so they lose , but only because they were tired, it has to be clear

Axey, you have to consider the fact that (even though i hate to admit it) Milan is old. And travel can actually affect the elderly (man I feel so ashamed calling my team elderly). Plus counter that with Arsenal youngsters, pressures from Serie A, fan pressure, owner pressure, manager pressure, morale pressure and you have a nice little obstacle created.

As for Pato, he was and is useless. Not to take away anything from the kid but he just has his youth and can run that's about it.

BTW nice avatar

Even though I hate to see my current players leave, I feel that next season they will be doing a major overhaul to the team and putting mostly new players in.

about time. Milan are an embarrassment. I said years ago they need to sort out th team.

ah.. i think it's too early.. shall we meet you in the final round?.. lol..

i'd love my team to meet roma again.. compared to any english teams..XD

Arsenal in Final round is not possible at all.

it's just a simple compliment for their beating the cup holder.. don't you think they're capable of surviving till final round?..

For sure they need to bring in alot of players. Too old.

Real Madrid brought alot of young players in, in the summer. I believe Milan need to do the same.

Yep, over the last year or so Real have bought in many very good young players.

There's Higuain, Gago, Marcelo, Drenthe who are all very young, then there's Pepe, Sneijder, Robben who are quite young.

I dont even think they have to bring invery young players, just good quality players who arent old.

There are rumours Milan are intrested ina player like Berbatov, who i hate to admit could be excellent in Italy. He will have more space on the ball, and they keep the ball for longer periods of time, and when you watch Tottenham games Dimitar gets very annoyed when we give the ball away cheaply.

Think Drogba will end up there though.

They need pace in defence. I think there defence is way too old and they need to bring in younger quality players. Maybe someone like, Kompany could be excellent there.