Arsenal fights back on home turf

Arsenal's Midfielder causing problems for AC Milan in the
2nd leg of UEFA's last 16 match

By Mohau Ramashidja

After being hammered 4-0 in their away match Against AC Milan, Arsenal coach had only one goal set in mind. “Our target is not to concede,” he said prior to the match.

With 4 goals down to nothing, The Gunners entered in the UEFA Champions League second leg match hungry for a comeback. Being the ones to kicked off the match, Arsenal trooped forward in search for an early goal in the 2^nd minute of the match, only to find their midfielder Theo Wilcott on an offside position.

Arsenal's defender Koscielny scores the first
 goal of the match

Being aware of the fact that they were the ones on a goal chase, Arsenal announced their presence in the 6^th minute when their defender Koscielny headed home their first goal.

The match grew even tenser as Arsenal conceded three yellow cards in the first 15 minutes of the match. Being aware of the potential threat, Milan kept their cool and caused more problems for Arsenal as they exchanged passes in search for loopholes from Milan’s defence.

Though lady lucky was not on V.Persie’s side as he was denied twice by Milan’s keeper, Arsenal continued to explore new attacking strategies. And it was Arsenal’s Midfielder Wilcott who finally figured out the defensive code of Milan that he forced them into committing a defensive era. This enabled Arsenal’s assassin midfielder Rosicky who had no problem of snipping in a shot on target for his home side.

With now chase two goals to make matters even; Arsenal Pulled out all the guns and struck shots at goal whenever given chances. And it was when panic got the better of Milan’s defence that Arsenal where granted a penalty to increase their chances of making it to the next round. And so it was that Captain charisma V.Persie took on the responsibilities on his shoulders and sent the keeper to the “right” direction while he nailed it to the left.

While the first half testified that Milan were nowhere to be found in this match with only one shot on target; the second half foretold the embarrassment Milan was not willing to live with. Being aware what their opposition could do, Milan unravelled a trick or two under their selves playing impressive passes and causing problems for Arsenal’s back-four.

Even though that turned out to be the case, Arsenal was still determined of exploring new attacking patterns on Milan. And it was so when Gevhinho penetration from the left flank led him to being in the 18 yard that his shot was deflected and V. Persie failed to finish it.

As the match made its approach to full time, both sides made substitutions to avoid any unwanted mistakes. Aware of the fact that Arsenal was a goal away to turn things around; Milan defended in numbers and moved quickly in their attack in search of increasing the lead but was denied.

Match ended on 4–3 in favour for Milan.