Arsenal

[Boyatsea]

All the best European nights are like that. It's that terrible feeling that it could all go wrong any second that shows how fucking massive this competition is. Means more to players than I think even the World Cup does, to be honest.

[superpretend]

I'm impressed at how quickly Walcott got back on his feet after getting tackled to set up the second goal.

[Boyatsea]

Indeed. If there was a better example of young vs. old in that match, I didn't see it.

[El Pibe]

Didn't see it like that, thought it was a foul. He's not a diver. Foul, deffo. No dive for me.

I thought it was a foul, as well. I just think Hleb didn't need to go down like he'd been shot by a sniper in the stand. It reminded me of Platoon.

Amazing result and a great game to watch, as a neutral. Arsenal dominated the match.

[SeanR]

WHAT A RESULT!!

Fabregas/Flamini were outstanding but Man of the Match was Senderos!!!! Kept Pato and Kaka in his pocket all night!!!!!

I have a feeling we're gonna be playing Man U next round...

shame he hit that shot straight at the keeper...

[Nate Dogg III]

I thought it was a foul, as well. I just think Hleb didn't need to go down like he'd been shot by a sniper in the stand.

Same. Interesting (and, when you think about it, probably quite correct) interpretation of Simulation, though. They should do that all the time, it'd soon stop Drogba's shite.

Anyway, amazing performance I thought. Just really really surprising especially considering how poor they'd been the last few games. Most impressive.

[mop]

Same. Interesting (and, when you think about it, probably quite correct) interpretation of Simulation, though.

A yellow card for simulation of a foul while being fouled? No, that's fucking bullshit. I agree he made the most of it but a booking and no free kick is fucking stupid.

[Nate Dogg III]

A yellow card for simulation of a foul while being fouled? No, that's fucking bullshit. I agree he made the most of it but a booking and no free kick is fucking stupid.

Yeah, but it's simulation isn't it?

I'm not for arguing the rights and wrongs of it as I don't know the letter of the law but it's an interesting interpretation. Easy to say as a neutral obviously.

[Dude Ranch]

Yeah, but it's simulation isn't it?

I really don't think it was. He got caught from behind, both legs. Foul and he went down. Just how is one expected to fall to the ground after being kicked? That lad weighs about two stone, gets kicked from pillar to post and I don't think I've ever seen him dive.

Easy to say as a neutral obviously.

Yeah, course. And easy for me to argue against as a Gooner .

[Lucky]

A yellow card for simulation of a foul while being fouled? No, that's fucking bullshit. I agree he made the most of it but a booking and no free kick is fucking stupid.

I was shouting and swearing at the telly when Hleb was fouled and then booked for diving, but looking back he did go down like there was a sniper in the crowd, and he didn't need to really as he was fouled.

Could the ref have booked him but still have given the free kick?

While this type of simulation happens all the time and normally the player isn't booked, it would just be nice to see a bit of consistency.

Anyway, enough of that bollocks........what a performance last night!!!

Wenger said before the game that this team has forgotten how good they are, I think it's safe to say that they've remembered now.

As for Flamini's nickname being Gattuso, well move over Gattuso, Flamini should be called Flamini..........oh and Gattuso's nickname can be Flamini if he wants.

[mop]

As far as I'm concerned diving or simulation or whatever the fuck you want to call it is making it look like you were fouled when you weren’t. I do get your point that he simulated the outcome but to me he more exaggerated it as he was falling over either way, the foul was made - it wasn't simulated.

The play acting and making the most of it shit does need to be cut out of the game though.

Edit: this was in reply to Nate, I'm too slow at typing.

[Nate Dogg III]

Looking at it from the ref's perspective though, he was running into three players, being pushed wide, then he goes down like he's been shot....the ref's first instinct is that he's trying to win a foul. I can totally see why he interpreted it as simulation. And Dude, was it really both legs? Thought it was just the one but ho hum.

But anyway, fuck that and focus on a terrific performance.

[toythatkills]

Any referee would have called that as a dive, even though it was a foul it certainly wouldn't have appeared so at a glance. He went down just like Adebayor did at Old Trafford ffs.

[mop]

Any referee would have called that as a dive, even though it was a foul it certainly wouldn't have appeared so at a glance. He went down just like Adebayor did at Old Trafford ffs.

Come on, it wasn't anywhere as bad as that. Anyway, fuck that shit.

UP THE ARSE!

Intresting that Van Persie didn't get a run out wasn't it? Maybe we just didn't need to risk him. Hope to see him at the weekend though.

[Chewylegs]

Congrats to your boys yesterday. Thoroughly deserved the result and its brilliant to see Milan go out at such an early stage. 4 English teams in the quarters (please) will be magnificient.

Fabregas is such a superb player and so young. He is fast becoming one of the best in the world.

[Benji]

A great win for us, i can see us getting Man Utd in the next round, i'd really like another crack at Barca though

[Cosmic_Guru]

A fantastic result all round. A real team performance and a mid field masterclass.

Thankfully Prato is young and inexperienced - the space he had for that chance was immense and if it had been buried it would have been a different story.

Wenger was absolutely right - the team has lost its way recently and forgotten how good it can be. It needs to keep that to mind in the slugfests which await. Pleased for Sendoros too.

I really hope we draw a foreign club in the next round but knowing our luck with cup draws this year it will be ManU or Chelsea.

PS has the pitch at ManU been relaid? I seem to remember a mudbath 3 weeks ago but now it looks fine.

[Mars]

So, Theo Walcott is the first English premiership player to win at the San Siro?

I was impressed with him, I was out of my seat cheering when he ran back to make some crucial interceptions, everyone was playing at man of the match standard (apart from Eboue, natch).

PS has the pitch at ManU been relaid? I seem to remember a mudbath 3 weeks ago but now it looks fine.

I hope so, the pitch had been relaid for last night at the San Siro and it was magnificent, suited us down to the ground.

[Petrousgyre]

I was impressed with him, I was out of my seat cheering when he ran back to make some crucial interceptions

Loved the bit where he dispossessed Kaka using his raw pace and a decent tackle. Very promising.

[Mars]

That's the one, could't remember who it was he tackled then

[Peter Hitchens]

Intresting that Van Persie didn't get a run out wasn't it? Maybe we just didn't need to risk him. Hope to see him at the weekend though.

I was a bit surprised as well but then I figured... Wenger probably thought he was only worth bringing on for 20 minutes - but if he'd brought him 20 minutes from full time he might well have had to play half an hour of extra time as well, and might not have had the fitness for it.

I think if we'd been 1-0 down Van Persie would've come on instead of Walcott. And if it had gone to extra time, maybe van persie would've come for the last 15 minutes (or perhaps only to take a penalty).

[Mars]

I'm off to the Wigan game on Sunday, hopefully RvP will get a run out then

[mop]

I'd say so - let's hope he starts banging them in straight away too!

[Lucky]

Just before Cesc scored I thought he might come on.

He'll probably start on the bench on saturday.

[Mars]

Nice letter on F365:

"The most poinient (SIC) moment for me however was when Adebayor was celebrating his goal. The ref ran across to tell him to stop before Paolo Maldini jogged towards him with a hand out and expression as if to say "just let them enjoy it". This from a man who knew that this was his last moments playing in a European competition that he has won so many times and after a career spanning nearly 25 years. What a human being he is."

Milan were utterly superb in defeat.

[Daley]

Told you to embrace it, didn't I? The stuff dreams are made of...

I fucking love the Champions League.

I try to, the home game was nervy as hell too but it was a great game, had the feel of a big "event" being there and even though it was scary I loved it. Can't beat a big European night. Last night though I wasn't feeling optimistic after our recent form.

Anyway enough talk, we need more Cesc "sex face" celebration pictures:

Hopefully we see a few more before the end of the season.

[mop]

Nice letter on F365:

"The most poinient (SIC) moment for me however was when Adebayor was celebrating his goal. The ref ran across to tell him to stop before Paolo Maldini jogged towards him with a hand out and expression as if to say "just let them enjoy it". This from a man who knew that this was his last moments playing in a European competition that he has won so many times and after a career spanning nearly 25 years. What a human being he is."

Milan were utterly superb in defeat.

I absolutely love hearing that kind of thing, especially in today's game.

Maldini is a true gent. A magnificent professional. And one slick ass motherfucker.

[tyler]

Anyway enough talk, we need more Cesc "sex face" celebration pictures:

[Lucky]

WOW!!

[Petrousgyre]

Maldini is a true gent. A magnificent professional. And one slick ass motherfucker.

Nicely put. I thought both teams were very well mannered and sporting for both legs. Gattuso's feigned injury aside.