Arsenal’s response was magnificent, and we can still win a trophy this season

Nobody gave Arsenal a hope of winning at inform AC Milan last night after losing four games in a row in England, while the Italians were unbeaten since Christmas. But the Gunners surprised everyone and looked by far the better team. They played excellent football and fully deserved to come away from the San Siro with a two goal advantage to take back to the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger was understandably happy that his team responded brilliantly and got the win we needed. “Yes, and what we wanted especially. At some stage, you need to respond and respond together with a good performance. That’s what we did tonight.

“We have won again but we have not qualified. The result will lift the belief in the team again. When you lose three games in six days, it’s always very difficult. We want to keep our focus and finish the job next week. That’s what the target is.

he was then asked if he feels the tie is now over, but he was cautious to not be too overconfident ahead of the second leg. “No, not at all. I just said that we won the game, we are not qualified. We understand that and we have to finish the job at home. Overall, nothing is [finished] at the moment.

“In England, we have a strange system where we have a League Cup final in the middle of the season. We played a cup final in the middle of the season on the Sunday, and then played against the same opponent on Thursday. It’s like a boxing match where you’re half knocked down and you have to face another opponent before you get up again. It’s difficult to recover from a defeat in a cup final when you put so much effort in. You’re always in danger. That’s what happened to us because we had no time to recover, no breather. We had our backs to the wall tonight and we had to respond. That’s what we have shown. We needed to find the mental resources and not just accept it.”

It seems Wenger had his excuse prepared in case we lost and used it anyway even though we won! But every Arsenal fan should be very happy that we still have a chance to bring home a trophy this season.

Sam P

21 Comments

  1. I don’t want to take anything away from the victory, because we performed very well (apart from Welbeck), and won a game I thought we’d lose, but Milan were SHOCKING! I was surprised how bad they were considering the run they’ve been on, and they were no where near even Brighton, or Ostersunds level.

    I don’t think it was a case of us playing so well that Milan couldn’t cope, they were plain awful in EVERY area! They gave us time on the ball as well which was bizarre.

    Great win, good boost for our confidence, but as always, the fans are getting carried away again.

    1. Maybe because Milan were too cautious

      But they could have nothing too lose in the second leg and I hope Arsenal would be ready for that aggression, because they often become too complacent after leading (e.g. when facing Anderlecht in Champions League, leading 3-0 but ended by 3-3)

    2. They definitely read too much into what had been said about arsenal in dailies and think it will be like a stroll in the park against us. Expect that Wenger has a trick on his sleeve. To be honest we still played the same except this time we press a little. There is side way passes, backward passes, slow build up, no specific role for our players bar ospina, kos & mustafi etc. We won plainly because we have more quality than milan not because we drop a magnificent performance. Though, they deserve praises for the win.

    3. You can’t say that mate…Milan played like they’ve always played, arsenal were simply better. We have what it takes to make any team look average, we just don’t always turn up.

      1. key at present and to be frank for last number years is lack of a leader on the pitch .. both in voice and action…. hence the inconsistency… akao too frail or maybe thats comjng from Wenger.. eg takes a lot build confidence but after kne defeat we apparebtly are shaky and nervous.. sorry we need players who are strong mentally all the time !

  2. Victory through harmony all the way,Wenger the cat of 9 lives survived again,We are still in Europe and Tottenham are not,we have to stick with the manager until he leaves. Viva!

    1. A bad result against Watford would put Wenger and his players under a lot of pressure again

      I hope they don’t underestimate Watford and can make it as a training ground before facing Milan again

      Expecting Maitland-Niles to show his abilities, because both Kolasinac and Monreal are injured

  3. Milan were pathetic, they were so scared.some pathetic and blind Arsenal fans are now saying Arsenal are now on track.Anyway I enjoy the win.
    But one thing is certain this club will only move backward under Wenger.

  4. I’m not getting carried away… it would be typical of Arsenal after winning last night, when expected to lose, to lose to Watford on Sunday!
    After these real dark weeks it was great to finally win a game, score 2 goals & a clean sheet!
    Well done boys, please keep it up now, as I don’t think I can stomach another painful loss…. it’s been really hard to take these last few weeks (Well actually most of this season) Up the gunners! COYG

    1. same scenario last few years in feb and march.. cant explain why other than when it gets to the business end of the season we have no one to stand up on pitch and lead us through the big games

  5. Sigh. This unwanted win against Milan may actually plan into our hands in the grand scheme of things. The higher we go the harder the crash will be and ultimately the more the pressure on he who shall not be named. The battle was lost but the war is not over. The senile imposter pulled a fast one on us but we’ll see who has the last laugh come May.

    1. what ana amazing comment from a supposed fan.. Wenger pulled a fast one by winning in europe league qtr finals !
      Likelihood is Wenger will leave in summer so lets all for once try to come together and give the boys on the pitch the best support so that we ALL can ein together !

  6. Even if Wenger were to win the EL.Arsenal shd get a new boss.
    Enough is enough.
    Btw,winning the el is not guaranteed as yet so dont count the chicks yet.

  7. Credit where credit is due the lads played well last night but performances like these are few and far between.

  8. the boys are pretty tired 5 games in 14 days…..

    on Sunday it will be 6 games in 17 days

    1. Looked more tired on Sunday than yesterday.
      Sorry but busy schedule cant be excuse, its part of their well paid jobs so…

  9. here we go. One win after 4 losses and it all goes to our heads again. Why do we never learn!!!

  10. Well guess what Arsen….Manc Shi#y had also played cup final in the middle of the season and then played same opponent 4 days later…I dont see they’re complaining about “strange” system in England.It is there for years so….
    I wonder why no one asks him why sudden change in his approach during the game…how come he stood at least for the first 30 mins beside the line and was giving instructions to the players!?
    Hemoroids maybe?
    Althought solid performance for a change and good result….Ive sleeped well this night.

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