Pretenders To The Crown

This match is one for the history books. It’s the first time that Arsenal have met AC Milan in a Champions League match-up. It’s the old boys against the young guns. It’s the beautiful game against the tactically perfect game. It’s the best defender of the decade against the best striker in the Premiership this season. It’s a second round game to savour.

The first half may have turned out to be a bit dour to most of the fans around the world but I would like to have looked at it from a different angle. Yes, the game was tight. Neither side carved up really good chance to open the scoring. However the way the game was tactically was a beauty to watch.

Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf and Gattuso were perfect in their protection of their backline. So disciplined was their performance that it nullified Arsenal’s threat from midfield. Every time that Fabregas or Hleb tried to move forward, they are being tracked by at least one of those 4 players if not more. They did not try to do anything more than carrying the ball to safety and ensuring that their defense is not breached. The blank on the column shots on target for Milan will attest to that.

Meanwhile, the match itself provided ample justification as to why a 39 year old stalwart can be a wall to even the highest scoring attacker in the Premiership. Even at his age, Maldini proved time and again that he’s no slouch. He was able to match Adebayor stride for stride. This man has won everything there is to win in club competition and only missed winning the World Cup due to his international retirement. Young kids looking for someone to idolize should look no further than this great individual.

Tried as Arsenal did to move up the tempo in the second half, you can sense the astute awareness that the Milan players possess in being able to position their players to slow down the game. But midway in the second half, the age factor begins to reveal itself and even the mighty Gattuso was caught grasping for breath chasing after the Arsenal passes.

This is where I believe that Wenger could’ve used the service of Theo Walcott earlier instead of only the last 5 minutes. His pace would’ve cause trouble to the fast tiring Milan side. Although in fairness, given that short period of time, he still manages to conjure up an opening for Adebayor. Heading that cross against the crossbar was the last thing you would expect from him to do, given his scoring prowess this season. Facing an open goal, he should be calmer in dealing with the finish. In fact, a simple chest would’ve sent the fans celebrating a 1-0 lead in the knockout phase.

Arsenal have it all to do in the second leg. Senderos and Gallas would’ve have to maintain their performance to thwart the Milan players from scoring. 0-0 is not a bad advantage at this juncture. An away goal in the second leg would help settle the tie.