AC Milan vs. Arsenal Discussion Thread

L r d wrote:

Fey wrote:But the Real question of tonight is...

How many English are stabbed???

Milan fans are not as crazy as those Roma thugs!

The Milan ultras are more adverst to smoking and blaming Gilardino for being overweight.

il piccolo Coccodrillo wrote:KA was the best Azzuri player in the U23 WC, most assists, scored more than ANY player in the whole team and generally kicked some England arse. Remember that stunner? Aquilani has twice as many goals as Monti this season even though he has played about 20 games more than Alberto.

Aquilani is more athletically gifted, better defender, better shooter, just as good a passer and is technically superior to Monti. Simply put, KA is one of the few complete midfielders in world Football today. His astonishing talent will be there for all to see in the years to come, too bad he is so injury prone.

It must be so gut wrenching to know that the future Italia midfield will comprise of 2 of the Giallorossi's finest.

Yes because goals are a great way to measure how the 2 played...

Montolivio is at least as atheletically gifted. Better defender? well theyre midfielders not defenders. Technique and passing, they are pretty similar too.

And not really, its good we have such talented players coming through especially in midfield which is where we had been weak in recent years.

Precisely the nonsense I'm objecting to - the result and the performance are often separate, as with tonight. I've seen Arsenal play better this season and lose.

When?

shazlx wrote:
Pirlo - I said a time and time again. This player is a $h!t midfielder. His long passing is great but his shot passing is predictable and slow. He is a faild playmaker turned longball and set-piece merchant.

Slight problem with this.

He has won Serie A, reached 3 CL finals, won 2 CL's with 2 assists in finals.

He has won the World Cup as the tournament's outstanding player with about 7 significant contributions (goals, assists, key passes, converted pens) and won the World Club Championship.

I very much doubt that Fabregash will do that even with so many years ahead of him.




I'm suprised so many people were expecting Milan to win.

I called it in the who's going through thread and in Saturday's Prem discussion

Getting rid of Henry was the best thing Arsenal ever did

ads_afc wrote:

Precisely the nonsense I'm objecting to - the result and the performance are often separate, as with tonight. I've seen Arsenal play better this season and lose.

When?

he may well be in a deep grave with that one

you have barely lost this season and he won't be using the fa cup

ads_afc wrote:

Precisely the nonsense I'm objecting to - the result and the performance are often separate, as with tonight. I've seen Arsenal play better this season and lose.

When?

Middlesbrough, when they won 2-1. At least your defenders had something to do that night. Milan offered so little attacking threat and their manager didn't seem to have any ideas how to change that when it became apparent Arsenal were dominating possession.

BoBo Vieri wrote:

il piccolo Coccodrillo wrote:KA was the best Azzuri player in the U23 WC, most assists, scored more than ANY player in the whole team and generally kicked some England arse. Remember that stunner? Aquilani has twice as many goals as Monti this season even though he has played about 20 games more than Alberto.

Aquilani is more athletically gifted, better defender, better shooter, just as good a passer and is technically superior to Monti. Simply put, KA is one of the few complete midfielders in world Football today. His astonishing talent will be there for all to see in the years to come, too bad he is so injury prone.

It must be so gut wrenching to know that the future Italia midfield will comprise of 2 of the Giallorossi's finest.

Yes because goals are a great way to measure how the 2 played...

Montolivio is at least as atheletically gifted. Better defender? well theyre midfielders not defenders. Technique and passing, they are pretty similar too.

And not really, its good we have such talented players coming through especially in midfield which is where we had been weak in recent years.

Any of the two ready to take over Pirlo u need someone quick

COTR wrote:

ads_afc wrote:

Precisely the nonsense I'm objecting to - the result and the performance are often separate, as with tonight. I've seen Arsenal play better this season and lose.

When?

he may well be in a deep grave with that one

you have barely lost this season and he won't be using the fa cup

I had no problem at all. I could cite numerous games Arsenal have drawn where they played better too. They had shedloads of possession, but didn't actually create very much. The breakthrough goal was like most of their chances - a long range effort. Apart from the Eboue slice I can't even remember a shot Arsenal had from inside the box until the Adebayor goal.

BoBo Vieri wrote:

il piccolo Coccodrillo wrote:KA was the best Azzuri player in the U23 WC, most assists, scored more than ANY player in the whole team and generally kicked some England arse. Remember that stunner? Aquilani has twice as many goals as Monti this season even though he has played about 20 games more than Alberto.

Aquilani is more athletically gifted, better defender, better shooter, just as good a passer and is technically superior to Monti. Simply put, KA is one of the few complete midfielders in world Football today. His astonishing talent will be there for all to see in the years to come, too bad he is so injury prone.

It must be so gut wrenching to know that the future Italia midfield will comprise of 2 of the Giallorossi's finest.

Yes because goals are a great way to measure how the 2 played...

Montolivio is at least as atheletically gifted. Better defender? well theyre midfielders not defenders. Technique and passing, they are pretty similar too.

And not really, its good we have such talented players coming through especially in midfield which is where we had been weak in recent years.

When you're a box to box midfielder having defensive capabilities is essential to say the least.

It's pointless for me to continue with this conversation, its obvious neither of us will budge from our opinions of each player. My bias might have swayed me a little (Im thinking whether I should wear Totti or Aquilani's jersey tomorrow ) but I'm strong in the opinion that Aquilani is a god that should be worshipped and have a stadium built for him with women feeding him grapes during each and ever game.

EMPortuguese wrote:

BoBo Vieri wrote:

il piccolo Coccodrillo wrote:KA was the best Azzuri player in the U23 WC, most assists, scored more than ANY player in the whole team and generally kicked some England arse. Remember that stunner? Aquilani has twice as many goals as Monti this season even though he has played about 20 games more than Alberto.

Aquilani is more athletically gifted, better defender, better shooter, just as good a passer and is technically superior to Monti. Simply put, KA is one of the few complete midfielders in world Football today. His astonishing talent will be there for all to see in the years to come, too bad he is so injury prone.

It must be so gut wrenching to know that the future Italia midfield will comprise of 2 of the Giallorossi's finest.

Yes because goals are a great way to measure how the 2 played...

Montolivio is at least as atheletically gifted. Better defender? well theyre midfielders not defenders. Technique and passing, they are pretty similar too.

And not really, its good we have such talented players coming through especially in midfield which is where we had been weak in recent years.

Any of the two ready to take over Pirlo u need someone quick

Pirlo was Cr@p tonight, ut he's had Cr@p games before and will recover.

Both are excellent options to have will take over from Pirlo in the next few years.

The BBC are running with the line that Fabregas outshone 'even Kaka'.

Hell, Eboue outshone Kaka tonight. But this shows what I mean - the press are treating this like Arsenal completely outplayed a Milan side in full flight. It's bullshit, and it confirms everything I've said about the relationship between Arsenal and the press. Enjoy your moment by all means, but try not to read as much into it as the people who get paid to talk Cr@p.

il piccolo Coccodrillo wrote:

BoBo Vieri wrote:

il piccolo Coccodrillo wrote:KA was the best Azzuri player in the U23 WC, most assists, scored more than ANY player in the whole team and generally kicked some England arse. Remember that stunner? Aquilani has twice as many goals as Monti this season even though he has played about 20 games more than Alberto.

Aquilani is more athletically gifted, better defender, better shooter, just as good a passer and is technically superior to Monti. Simply put, KA is one of the few complete midfielders in world Football today. His astonishing talent will be there for all to see in the years to come, too bad he is so injury prone.

It must be so gut wrenching to know that the future Italia midfield will comprise of 2 of the Giallorossi's finest.

Yes because goals are a great way to measure how the 2 played...

Montolivio is at least as atheletically gifted. Better defender? well theyre midfielders not defenders. Technique and passing, they are pretty similar too.

And not really, its good we have such talented players coming through especially in midfield which is where we had been weak in recent years.

When you're a box to box midfielder having defensive capabilities is essential to say the least.

It's pointless for me to continue with this conversation, its obvious neither of us will budge from our opinions of each player. My bias might have swayed me a little (Im thinking whether I should wear Totti or Aquilani's jersey tomorrow ) but I'm strong in the opinion that Aquilani is a god that should be worshipped and have a stadium built for him with women feeding him grapes during each and ever game.

Montolivio plays more of a Pirlo-esque role so his defensive capabilties arent that important.

Make the most of him since he's on his way to Inter

Yoda wrote:

ads_afc wrote:

Precisely the nonsense I'm objecting to - the result and the performance are often separate, as with tonight. I've seen Arsenal play better this season and lose.

When?

Middlesbrough, when they won 2-1. At least your defenders had something to do that night. Milan offered so little attacking threat and their manager didn't seem to have any ideas how to change that when it became apparent Arsenal were dominating possession.

How can you honestly say with a straight face, we played better against Boro than we did against Milan. Perhaps, we didnt play as well as the press are making out but id you watch the Boro game. we created nothing!

il piccolo Coccodrillo wrote:

L r d wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:Congrats Arsenal and its fans. You deserved it.

We have to rebuild, so hopefully this defeat will be a blessing.

Milan were to didn't have enough


Milan need this. Milan should not be 20+ points behind each season in the league. Mourinho would = results no doubts about it. Drogba and Pato would be good

All in all I was calm. I really wanted Serie A this term, but that has also gone to $h!t. We need to improve as a team. We have Pato and Kaka, but Barca and Man U have the most exciting and effective squads.

I think we need three signings: Zambrotta, Drogba/Amauri and a CD. At least three signings.

il piccolo Coccodrillo wrote:

I must say this is funny, though Kaka wasn't really owned by Flamini. He just never got going.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

L r d wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:Congrats Arsenal and its fans. You deserved it.

We have to rebuild, so hopefully this defeat will be a blessing.

Milan were to didn't have enough


Milan need this. Milan should not be 20+ points behind each season in the league. Mourinho would = results no doubts about it. Drogba and Pato would be good

All in all I was calm. I really wanted Serie A this term, but that has also gone to $h!t. We need to improve as a team. We have Pato and Kaka, but Barca and Man U have the most exciting and effective squads.

I think we need three signings: Zambrotta, Drogba/Amauri and a CD. At least three signings.

Why so old? these guys are no younger than 28

Milan need to start targeting the 18-26 age range IMHO.

FFS! I've told you before. Downing isnt for sale.

shazlx wrote:
No mistakes from Senderos.

He did make mistakes, just got lucky with them.

ads_afc wrote:

Yoda wrote:

ads_afc wrote:

Precisely the nonsense I'm objecting to - the result and the performance are often separate, as with tonight. I've seen Arsenal play better this season and lose.

When?

Middlesbrough, when they won 2-1. At least your defenders had something to do that night. Milan offered so little attacking threat and their manager didn't seem to have any ideas how to change that when it became apparent Arsenal were dominating possession.

How can you honestly say with a straight face, we played better against Boro than we did against Milan.

Yep. At least you had some defending to do against Boro - Milan just weren't at the races. It's like Man U thrashing you at Old Trafford - sure they won 4-0, great result, and a good performance from them, but they beat an Arsenal side who played as badly as anyone's seen them play in the last couple of years.

If Man U cited that game as an incredible performance, how they were going to win everything as a result, you'd consider it unjustified hype, wouldn't you? I certainly would. Same with Arsenal last night.

Perhaps, we didnt play as well as the press are making out but id you watch the Boro game. we created nothing!

You didn't exactly create much last night. Like I say, until Eboue's slice you didn't even have a shot from inside the box. Milan had three by that point. Now, I'm not saying Milan deserved anything from the game, just that it was a more even game than the Arsenal loving media have made out. Sure, be proud of the result, and it was a good performance, no questions there. But be realistic, you beat a Milan side who've been poor all season, were in the midst of a poor run of form and who didn't turn up on the night. You can play better, so can they. You got the result you needed and deserved.

Anything beyond that is hype and bullshit. Including Fabregas thinking they've already won the trophy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7275952.stm

kas wrote:

shazlx wrote:
No mistakes from Senderos.

He did make mistakes, just got lucky with them.

One easy clearance he ended up shanking off his head straight into the path of Inzaghi. Funny how Arsenal fans are overlooking incidents like this.

Actually, it isn't funny at all. They'll draw an English team in the next round and get dumped out, I reckon. The arrogance coming out of that club this morning speaks volumes for how desperately they needed a result.

Yoda wrote:

kas wrote:

shazlx wrote:
No mistakes from Senderos.

He did make mistakes, just got lucky with them.

One easy clearance he ended up shanking off his head straight into the path of Inzaghi. Funny how Arsenal fans are overlooking incidents like this.

Actually, it isn't funny at all. They'll draw an English team in the next round and get dumped out, I reckon. The arrogance coming out of that club this morning speaks volumes for how desperately they needed a result.

I just wish we get Southampton for next round. That would be a great game.

shazlx wrote:

Yoda wrote:

kas wrote:

shazlx wrote:
No mistakes from Senderos.

He did make mistakes, just got lucky with them.

One easy clearance he ended up shanking off his head straight into the path of Inzaghi. Funny how Arsenal fans are overlooking incidents like this.

Actually, it isn't funny at all. They'll draw an English team in the next round and get dumped out, I reckon. The arrogance coming out of that club this morning speaks volumes for how desperately they needed a result.

I just wish we get Southampton for next round. That would be a great game.

"All eyes on the referee, Steve Wigley on his feet. Is this to be the most improbable, the most unlikely, the most unexpected first win for the new Southampton manager. Oh wait, here come Arsenal again, they haven't given up yet. OH WHAT A GOAL, WHAT A GOAL BY VAN PERSIE, WHAT A HEARTBREAKER FOR SOUTHAMPTON!!!''

shazlx wrote:

Yoda wrote:

kas wrote:

shazlx wrote:
No mistakes from Senderos.

He did make mistakes, just got lucky with them.

One easy clearance he ended up shanking off his head straight into the path of Inzaghi. Funny how Arsenal fans are overlooking incidents like this.

Actually, it isn't funny at all. They'll draw an English team in the next round and get dumped out, I reckon. The arrogance coming out of that club this morning speaks volumes for how desperately they needed a result.

I just wish we get Southampton for next round. That would be a great game.

We don't have as much money as the Man Utds and Arsenals.


See how easy it is to make excuses? You're such a fucking loser.

Great game last night. I was supporting Milan but the best team won.

Contrary to what has been said here (in the last couple of pages at least), in the first half the game kind of ebbed and flowed at least that is what it looked like in the stadium. Arsenal were on top for large parts of it but there were periods where Milan also were in the ascendancy, and in the opening period they had the clearer chances. In the second half it really looked like Arsenal in control, but they were hardly shooting at all, so wasting a lot of good opportunities, which Milan could have capitalised on by a breakaway goal.

Adebayor was great in the first half, always occupied 2 or 3 defenders, faded a bit in the 2nd half. Cesc was very good, as was flamini and hleb and diaby was ok as well. Senderos and cliche looked nervous, but gallas and sagna were solid.

On the milan side people are quite harsh on kaka but he only had inzaghi and pato to help him (whihc they didn't), and no support at all from the midfield. Milan have become way too reliant on him, and expected him to single-handedly win the game. Seedorf was a huge miss, but I'm sure Milan fans will still claim that pirlo (who was shite) and kaka are the only 2 creative players etc etc. Maldini was good but while the other defenders blocked shots etc they often passed it directly back to arsenal players. Ambrosini was ok, gattuso was shite, but he has been off-form for a while.

The goal from fabregas looked like a goalkeeping error from where I was sitting, hardly fast or powerful, but I have yet to see a replay. I think everyone was fooled including the keeper as arsenal had been in so many shooting opportunites and never actually shot, that no-one expected it. 2nd goal was good work from walcott. I think Milan only had the header in the beginning as a shot on target in the whole game.

amazingly once again in the media, golden boy pirlo has escaped all criticism, the Italian media has blamed kaka and pato (a 17 year old who's played a handful of games )

@ 110%

That's essentially what I've been saying, but somehow praising Arsenal for being the better team isn't enough for some people...

110% wrote:Great game last night. I was supporting Milan but the best team won.

Contrary to what has been said here (in the last couple of pages at least), in the first half the game kind of ebbed and flowed at least that is what it looked like in the stadium. Arsenal were on top for large parts of it but there were periods where Milan also were in the ascendancy, and in the opening period they had the clearer chances. In the second half it really looked like Arsenal in control, but they were hardly shooting at all, so wasting a lot of good opportunities, which Milan could have capitalised on by a breakaway goal.

Adebayor was great in the first half, always occupied 2 or 3 defenders, faded a bit in the 2nd half. Cesc was very good, as was flamini and hleb and diaby was ok as well. Senderos and cliche looked nervous, but gallas and sagna were solid.

On the milan side people are quite harsh on kaka but he only had inzaghi and pato to help him (whihc they didn't), and no support at all from the midfield. Milan have become way too reliant on him, and expected him to single-handedly win the game. Seedorf was a huge miss, but I'm sure Milan fans will still claim that pirlo (who was shite) and kaka are the only 2 creative players etc etc. Maldini was good but while the other defenders blocked shots etc they often passed it directly back to arsenal players. Ambrosini was ok, gattuso was shite, but he has been off-form for a while.

The goal from fabregas looked like a goalkeeping error from where I was sitting, hardly fast or powerful, but I have yet to see a replay. I think everyone was fooled including the keeper as arsenal had been in so many shooting opportunites and never actually shot, that no-one expected it. 2nd goal was good work from walcott. I think Milan only had the header in the beginning as a shot on target in the whole game.

amazingly once again in the media, golden boy pirlo has escaped all criticism, the Italian media has blamed kaka and pato (a 17 year old who's played a handful of games )

TS agrees with 110% shocker

I feel unwell

Well done to Arsenal. The only english team to beat Milan at San Siro. Arsenal > Man United.

I only hope Milan will start rebuilding the team this summer, with a new coach.

Ratings and observations:

Kalac - 6 never had the opportunity to use his hight in set-piece situations but his distribution wasn't constructive enough for a team that needed possession. However he did make some good saves.

Oddo - Poor going forward other than on one occasion and the beginning. He defended well against Diaby but was overrun against Adebayor.

Kaladze - 5 didn't do too badly defensively but never looked comfortable, poor distribution.

Nesta - 5.5 Same as Kaladze but slightly better.

Maldino - 6.5 The only Milan player to leave with their reputation
( and in his case legend) intact. Defended well and did as much as he could offensively

Gattuso - 3 A poor player that was overrun in midfield, chased shadows all day and did added nothing going forward.

Pirlo - 5 Overrun in midfield buy to true playmakers though he did threaten with long balls and some set-pieces. However gave possession away too much and sometimes in dangerous positions.

Ambrosini - 5 . A limited player but did his job the best he could. Couldn't stop the lengthy spells of one way traffic but did try an attack when Milan were on top.

Kaka - 5.5 As a playmaker he was completely constructive. Well he doesn't have the passing range to be a playmaker. As a deep running forward he did cause some trouble at the beginning the game but he kick and run style of dribbling got found out before HT and Flamini, Cesc, Sanga and even Walcott were taking it in terns to dispossess him.

Inzaghi - 5 A poor player but still annoyingly manages to get in the right positions. Didn't do his job as a finishers when he had one great chance.

Pato - 5 Great natural skill and touch, as a talent his reputation should still be intact but as a striker he could do little as he was isolated and out-manned when he did have the ball.


Almunia - 5.5 A standard game and didn't have to do anything great. However he didn't show any great leadership at set-pieces.

Sanga - 6 Endless running up and down but, though troubling, still ineffective offensively. Did well defensively.

Gallas - 7 Defended well with good distribution. Brought the ball forward at the right moments and also great leadership.

Senderos - 6.5 Defended well other than one mistake. Had decent distribution as well.

Clichy - 6.5 Defended well and got up to support the Midfileder well. Some bad crosses but also some OK crosses. Impress of his simple use of his right foot, it made him less predictable and gave him more options.

Eboue - 3.5 The five is the ensure that Gattuso is the recognised as the worst player on the pitch. He rarely did anything productive going forwards and merely did average defensively. Misses a good opportunity and wasted good crossing opportunities.

Cesc - 8 A great game from and overrated player. I didn't think the goal was that great and certainly not beautiful. His passing was tight other than the long balls which did still trouble Milan. His defensive work was excellent and should keep quite those who think he does/cant do any defensive work.

Flamini - 8 MOTM Wow what a performance and great leadership as well. Hopefully people will now stop insulting him with tags such as Flattuso. His passing and drive were simple yet destructive and his defensive work was excellent. Pushed the Dog away in a Shoulder2Shoulder battle and was incorrectly called up for a foul. A true Box"Box Midfielder. Everything I thought a 21 year old Gerrard would become. There Real reson whi we are top of the PL (not Henry leaving).

Hleb - 8 Another amazingly composed display from the PL's Player of the year. His dribbles and subtle turns were as destructive as any Hollywood ball could be. He even shot from distance .

Diaby - 6 Nothing special but gave us some power and directness. His work with Clichy was good and linked well with the others when he wasn't giving the ball away.

Adebayor - 7.5 Mabye he should have got an 8 like the previous three but I though al though his running and hassling were troubling they weren't productive enough. He still let himself down with a few poor 1st touches in dangerous areas.


Wenger - I have called him useless tactically but yesterday he was great. Stop Milan from having any width by killing their FBs early. Never MMarked Kaka or Pirlo but had team marking their space. Played a high line with and off-side trap to Kill Inzaghi even if it was dangerous with Pato lurking.

BoBo Vieri wrote:

shazlx-mas wrote:1. For Arsenal to win we must have our first defence and midfield fit (Flamini can be replaced by Diarra). IMO any combination of 2 out of 4 of our strikers will be good enough in Europe.

2. Comparing us to ManU is pointless. Like De Guzman has stated, our midfields play completely differently. They play with wingers and reply on players dribbling past opponents, hence Ronaldo struggled when being marked by Gattuso and one of the FBs. The Arsenal midfield as a unit are more mobile and play a pass and move game. When ManU counter attack, they do it with dribblers, Arsenal will use a lot of passing combinations when they get the ball.

3. Milan play narrow and attack with their fullbacks, this completely suits our style of defending. Rosicky and Hleb are central players by nature and they will keep the midfield solid. Milan's short passing better be good as Pirlo's playmaking from deep will not be to much use. In fact you can keep this as Sig material: As long as Gilberto doesn't play (which assumes Flamini or Diarra will) then Pirlo's contribution will be minimal other than from set-pieces. With Pirlo out of the picture and Gattuso being average offensively, you can expect the Milan midfield to be dominated.

4. Even if we dominate the midfield (IMO we will), we still may not score enough goals as we're not good at finishing and also, as bad as Dida is, he's still an excellent shot-stopper. Also if Ronaldo is back, he finishing is deadly and he just needs one chance to kill the game.

I dont quite see how you came to the conclusion that you will dominate their (5 man) midfield. How will you take Pirlo out of the picture? what about Kaka and Seedorf? theyre the 2 who will really win it for Milan. Milans midfield can match you in the passing department but theyre also probably better at defending when they havnt got the ball.

Toni Kroos wrote:you will dominate milan in the midfield

I both games. Pirlo is WC.