Arsenal have dimmed a little in the Premier League but their play at San Siro blinded Milan with its intensity and accomplishment, especially in midfield, writes Kevin McCarra.
Cesc Fabregas eliminated the Champions League holders with a 30-yarder that was no bolt from the blue. That skimming drive, six minutes from the end, smacked of the inevitable. Arsenal were everything that Milan once were, overflowing with technique and energy to dominate the match. So inexhaustible were Arsene Wenger’s side that the substitute Theo Walcott beat Kakha Kaladze in stoppage time before squaring for Emmanuel Adebayor to score a second.
Graciously even the home support applauded. This was a greater result than Arsenal’s 5-1 trouncing of Inter at San Siro in 2003. The vitality and confidence was such that there were intimations of foreboding in Milan ranks throughout the night. Carlo Ancelotti’s team could not bear the relentlessness. Nothing definitive has been achieved yet but the manner in which Fabregas reclaimed his best form when it was most needed raises the hopes for this team.
The display was redolent of the 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Bernabeu two years ago, which spurred Arsenal towards the final. Here, at San Siro there was once more an authority in every area of the line-up. Kolo Toure was still absent, yet that went unnoticed while Philippe Senderos was in so decisive a mood. Though Fabregas dominated, Alexander Hleb demanded nearly as much admiration in his slightly more advanced role.
There could be nothing less welcome than visitors with verve who knew they had several good years ahead of them irrespective of the outcome here. Milan have depended dangerously on the Champions League and have so let their competitiveness in Serie A lapse that European football might have to take the form of a UEFA Cup campaign next season.
Ancelotti would have been uneasy beforehand. The goalless draw at the Emirates had been not so much a result as an agreement to settle the matter another day. For the good sides, away fixtures do not have the intimidating aspect of yesteryear.
Milan were the ones who looked burdened and they had the sluggishness of famous footballers with too much history to be borne on drooping shoulders. Episodes in this game had symbolic overtones. Who could not sense a shift of power when Hleb, for instance, dispossessed Andrea Pirlo before setting up Fabregas to break the deadlock?
Arsenal were barely respectful. It was as if they had come to the home of their ageing relatives and could not stop themselves from stealing a look at valuable belongings, such as Champions League silverware, that they might soon inherit.
In the first minute Milan had to be ready as Adebayor stretched them in an attempt to break straight through the middle.
There was no resemblance to the mauling endured by Manchester United in last year’s semifinal. Any prospect of an onslaught lay in a display by the visitors that teemed with confidence.
Arsenal have dimmed a little in the Premier League but their play at San Siro blinded Milan with its intensity and accomplishment, especially in midfield.
The decision by Ancelotti to have Kaka and Alexandre Pato playing off Pippo Inzaghi in attack was misjudged since it let their opponents enjoy too much possession in midfield and so develop mastery. Any defect lay in the failure to score before half-time.
After 14 minutes Fabregas won the ball from Kaka and hit a pass down the right from which Adebayor picked out Abou Diaby for an effort that was fired wide. There were mere flurries from Milan, when Pato caused anxiety and a Pirlo corner provoked unseemly panic before Adebayor cleared from near his own line.
Arsenal took on a rapacious tone. With 33 minutes gone Hleb was caught on the ankle by Alessandro Nesta perilously close to the line of the penalty area but the referee Konrad Palutz mistakenly decided that the Belarus midfielder had dived and so booked him. Nothing, though, could upset Arsenal.
Milan were in great alarm. After 28 minutes, for instance, Paolo Maldini shanked the ball straight to Diaby, whose drive was turned over the crossbar by the goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac. Fabregas was nearest to breaking the deadlock before half-time.
Adebayor broke through from the left and laid the ball off for a finish by the Spaniard that hit the bar. The opportunity to take stock at the interval had no benefits for Milan. With their pride and talent they yearned to retaliate but Arsenal kept danger at bay by mounting constant attacks. If Wenger’s heart fluttered, it might have been when Emmanuel Eboue, booked already, dived in the penalty area and risked dismissal. Before long he made way for Walcott, a sharper presence on the right.
No matter what turn the game took, a masterful Arsenal guaranteed that life would just keep on getting worse for illustrious rivals who are not accustomed to such indignities.
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