Arsenal

[SeanR]

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[Silent Runner]

Shattered. They looked dead on their feet at the end. Well played the Arsenal.

[The Fox]

The referee was consistently awful. What was that goal kick about when it blatantly hit Sagna? Mental.

Well done though lads, a really good performance that lost momentum when Ox picked up a knock.

[Art Vandelay]

I think had we not have been playing the kings of gamesmanship we might just have got another chance near the end there. Absolutely fantastic effort that cannot be faulted. Just brilliant.

[Nicky]

good effort Arse. sadly let down by the first leg.

life long utd supporter here, but i was willing you on all the way.

glad you liked the Nev too.

[KRP]

Proud of the them. Shame the OC and Walcott had to come off? Subs were no good.

[Steve007]

Got some worrying injuries to key players in that game. Hope they can nurse them back for Monday's match...

[wev]

Bloody well proud of that lot tonight. The past couple of weeks, especially after the match in Milan, the team seems to have a real purpose and drive. Long may it continue (I'd also like to see more of that formation if I'm being honest)

[Rev]

That was great. If we'd had anyone on the bench we'd have won.

A performance to be proud of. Well done Arsenal.

And Chelsea through in the FA Cup, one more thing on their plate as well as chasing 4th.

[The Fox]

Koscielny interview *swoon*

Love dat guy.

[Varnsen]

Disappointed we went out but apart from the Gervinho/RVP chance, we didn't create much from what I saw in the last half an hour. As has been said, lack of quality on the bench was a factor. I only remember Park Chu Young on the left wing losing the ball and fouling someone on the halfway line.

On the plus side, I hope the players are proud of that performance and keep their confidence high in the league. Great effort.

[hauk]

Sad we didnt get through, but we can concentrate on coming 3rd in the league now

[KRP]

Carlito is writing a mega post.

[Liamness]

It's a shame you didn't have anyone who could've made an impact on the bench. When AOC, Walcott and Van Persie start together, you always carry a threat. I know the substitutions were forced, but they were not like for like, and changed the shape of the side. Another winger/second striker/playmaker type on the bench could've made the difference. I know how abject he mostly was for you, but perhaps if you'd kept Arshavin about, he could've done the job today.

It could've been fun to shove Jenkinson on and let Gibbs or Sagna push up instead. I don't think anyone expected Park or Chamakh to make things happen did they? Anyway, real shame those substitutions had to be made; Milan came into the game in the second half, and that had a lot to do with it.

[BlinkyBear]

What a first half performance. The back four were outstanding both individually and collectively. Tommy Sicky starting to find some real form again as well which is exciting. Nice to see Gooners staying after the whistle to applaud the players and sing the team off as well.

[Guest]

That ref was terrible. No booking for blatent time wasting - makes you question that RVP yellow vs Barca last year even more.

[Disgraced Toblerone]

You're having a hell of a season. Did any team had such highs and lows in such a short period?

Quite fun. And isn't it the point?

[Ravern]

Bloody well proud of that lot tonight. The past couple of weeks, especially after the match in Milan, the team seems to have a real purpose and drive. Long may it continue (I'd also like to see more of that formation if I'm being honest)

It was pretty much the same formation Arsenal have played for the last one and half years, just with the Ox in central midfield for once.

[Rev]

It was pretty much the same formation Arsenal have played for the last one and half years, just with the Ox in central midfield for once.

It did work better today as, surprisingly and probably unintended, Ox tracked back loads more than Ramsey has.

[Ravern]

I think you are right. Whenever we played Song-Arteta-Ramsey, the only power and energy came from Song, who tends to get forward fairly often - for better of for worse. As long as Song continues to do this, we need someone else in that three who is willing to track back and cover defensively, rather than just slot into a regista role as Arteta does.

[Rocafella]

Ramsey puts in more miles than anyone else. It's just that his pressing game isn't good enough. I'm glad we're seeing somebody else in there though, because as much as I like Ramsey, he's been rubbish for a while now and in need of a rest.

[CandyBob]

If only we could play the pressing game that we produced in the Chelsea, Spurs and now Milan matches more frequently. We're essentially Barcelona albeit with RvP instead of a Messi. Is it complacency?

Glad to see Tomas back to something like his old self as well. He reminded me a lot of Wilshere last night. He recieves the ball and instantly seems to gain 5-10 yards with his body movement.

[Rev]

If only we could play the pressing game that we produced in the Chelsea, Spurs and now Milan matches more frequently. We're essentially Barcelona albeit with RvP instead of a Messi. Is it complacency?

Glad to see Tomas back to something like his old self as well. He reminded me a lot of Wilshere last night. He recieves the ball and instantly seems to gain 5-10 yards with his body movement.

He's not there yet, by a long shot (he made some utterly hopeless passes last night) but he's improved loads in the last few games. Almost as if he's going for a new contract now! [/cynic]

[CandyBob]

He's like a new signing!!

[Gotters]

Rosicky has really come good and provides energy, drive, commitment - not really words you'd ever use to describe him in his time at Arsenal.

Odd atmos last night, at HT we all looked round and it was more a case of 'is this really on' rather than thinking we were back in it. I know the circs were bad but don't think the defence looked solid at all, the FBs had to push up but Verm & Kos are far too easily undone with a hoof up the middle, doesn't take much to open us up.

Think we got the best we could hope for out of the game really, pride restored, Ox reputation enhanced even further, and a springboard hopefully to push on - that said we are still so fragile and every game is a journey into the unknown, quite exciting though and at least the goals flowing again.

Never heard of him but Meelans left back was truly dire.

[Rev]

Never heard of him but Meelans left back was truly dire.

To be fair, neither had they.

[Petrousgyre]

we need someone else in that three who is willing to track back and cover defensively, rather than just slot into a regista role as Arteta does.

That's unfair on Arteta, he tracks back plenty and has been effective screening the defence and helping out the often absent Song.

[CandyBob]

Yeah he does a crucial job but one that often goes unnoticed.

[hobo]

Loving the Brucey toot at 0:35...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWT0YyNMpUw

[Daley]

I love it when people say The Arsenal.