Instead, Arsenal left the field at the Emirates Stadium last night with a feeling of disappointment. That they were disappointed was the best praise one can give to the players after a stirring display. Most fans, even Arsene Wenger, seemed to have accepted their exit from the competition following the humiliation in Milan last month.
Indeed, by 9pm on February 15, all hope seemed lost as Robinho fired home the third of Milan’s four goals that night. At 9pm on March 6, a remarkable four goal turnaround could have been completed. Instead, an almost equally remarkable feat was achieved – Robin van Persie missing with the goalkeeper on the floor and the goal at his mercy.
In the event few could begrudge van Persie for proving to the world that yes, he is a human being. Arsenal’s failure to overturn the deficit on the night had more to do with the fact that they wilted after Alex Oxlade Chamberlain pulled up with a hamstring injury.
But this was the night when Arsenal restored their pride after a torrid few weeks. Indeed it sums up so much of their season. Despite the numerous setbacks and hardships they have faced, the 8-2 loss at Old Trafford, shipping four at Blackburn and the humiliation of Milan, Arsenal are still up there fighting for the Champions League qualification positions. Written off after just weeks of the season with Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs flying high, they look like they may finish above all three.
And written off in this tie against Milan, they produced an incredible first half of football. Chamberlain and Song were powerful, energetic yet intelligent with the ball. Tomas Rosicky continued his renaissance with yet another man of the match display. The Czech’s turnaround in fortunes in recent weeks has mirrored that of the team he has pushed forward. For all van Persie’s brilliance, Rosicky has been the driving force. He more than anyone else characterises the spirit of this side right now. For all Arsenal’s flaws, and they are numerous – the one false one consistently made is that they do not have character. This was the proof of that if ever it was needed.
This was a night where, after such a gruelling season, Arsenal were for once receiving deserved adulation. It was failure. But it was failure the Arsenal way. Indeed, no one fails quite like Arsenal. There were not the limp exits that other teams produce to be seen on Tuesday night.
It was surreal for most of the first period. Laurent Koscielny’s goal so early it seemed as though fate had decreed this. And when Rosicky fired home the second the dream was on. A penalty later, and the impossible was once again possible.
It was not to be, and that owes to the club’s weakness. Plenty of depth in the squad, just a shame about the strength. Chamakh and Park were ineffectual and could not match the brilliance of those they replaced. Wenger will have noted that. But somehow, despite glorious failure, this was Arsenal’s night, in Arsenal style – exciting, brilliant football, but not quite good enough in the end. If ever there was a match that epitomised everything Arsene Wenger stands for, it was this one. The performance was better than the result, and there was even the lament of injuries for stalling their momentum, and the questionable refereeing to irritate the Frenchman. Ultimately though, they were out. But few can have made such a brilliant exit from the competition.
