AC Milan vs Arsenal, 2011-12 UEFA Champions League, Round of 16

· 1st Leg

AC Milan

15': Kevin-Prince Boateng
38': Robinho
49': Robinho
79': Zlatan Ibrahimovic (P)

FT
4 - 0
1st Leg

Arsenal

About

AC Milan are hosting Arsenal at Giuseppe Meazza, , , starting on . The match is a part of the UEFA Champions League.

Match Commentary

0': Live commentary will appear here from 1945 GMT.
0': The match could see Thierry Henry make last ever appearance for Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger is delighted with the loanee's impact.
0': Arsene Wenger has warned ahead of the game that Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a "great player" and that he delivers in the big games. He put Arsenal to the sword during his brief stint with Barca, so Wenger reason to be concerned.
0': Milan defender Thiago Silva, meanwhile, said: "Arsenal are a great side and we have to watch everyone and not just Van Persie. We have to monitor all of their players because they are all quality."
0': Mikel Arteta on Arsenal Player: "Italian sides are very tough and very experienced. If you give them half chances, they take them. We know we cannot make any mistakes over the two legs so we really have to concentrate."
0': The team news is in, and Arsenal have left both Thierry Henry and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench.
0': Kieran Gibbs comes in at left-back for the visitors, with Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta in central midfield and Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky out wide.
0': For Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho will be looking to fire the attack, with Kevin Prince-Boateng also in the starting line-up after being passed fit.
0': AC Milan: Abbiati, Abate, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Antonini, Seedorf, Van Bommel, Nocerino, Boateng, Ibrahimovic, Robinho.
0': Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Rosicky, Walcott, Ramsey, Arteta, van Persie.
0': Arsenal have won on their only two visits to the San Siro, having beaten Milan 2-0 in 2008 and Inter Milan 5-1 in 2004
0': Also looking good for Arsenal is the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has only scored in one of his 13 encounters with English opponents in the Champions League. The bad news, the game he did score was against Arsenal and he scored twice.
0': Arsene Wenger has said the pitch is 'not good enough', amidst criticism of re-laid areas down the flanks.
0': Interestingly Bakary Sagna is the only survivor from the starting line-up for Arsenal from that 2-0 win at the San Siro in 2008. Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott were on the bench.
0': The teams are coming out onto the pitch. Two Dutchman leading the signs out - Van Persie and Seedorf.
0': Both teams ready for kick-off. Lets go...
1': KICK OFF at the San Siro
1': Robinho takes the ball to the corner and crosses to find Ibrahimovic, but the Swede is offside.
2': Rosicky cuts in from the left-flank and fires powerfully at goal, but it's well wide.
3': Good Arsenal possession so far, Wenger will be pleased with the opening moments.
4': Seedorf hits the side-netting from the corner of the area. Warning for Arsenal.
5': Ibrahimovic does well to bring the ball down and attack Koscielny, corner to Milan. Headed clear.
6': Another Milan corner. Robinho takes from the right. Headed clear by Song.
7': Arsenal reestablishing possession. But, it comes to an end at the feet of Theo Walcott.
8': Milan counter and Abate's cross takes an awkward deflection off Gibbs for a corner. Seedorf down injured.
9': The corner from the right avoids everyone and Arsenal counter themselves with Kieron Gibbs. Dealt with by Milan.
10': Seedorf back on the pitch now.
11': Arsenal have good possession in midfield and probe down the Milan left. But, Mark Van Bommel is there to deal with the threat and win a free-kick
12': Urby Emanuelson replaces countryman Seedorf.
13': Oh! Should do better. Ibrahimovic lays the ball off to Emanuelson, but his shot is sliced wide from 15 yards.
14': A sustained period of Milan pressure here, Arsenal need to get on the ball.
15': GOAL Milan 1-0 Arsenal - Kevin Prince Boateng with a hammer-blow!!! Takes the ball down on his chest and smashes the ball home from the right side of the area. Unbelievable strike!
17': Ibrahimovic threads the ball through to Robinho, but Koscielny intercepts to deny the Brazilian.
18': Van Persie attacks for Arsenal down the left-wing, tries to cut-back but outnumbered.
19': Milan are playing with a swagger since that goal, Arsenal must ride out this storm.
20': Ibrahimovic attacks Arsenal down the left, but Song clears for a throw-in.
21': Nocerino is given time to strike from the right flank and powers the ball just over the bar.
22': Now it's Arsenal attacking down the flank with Van Persie, but the ball runs for a Milan throw-in.
23': More danger for Arsenal. Ibrahimovic reaps havoc as he dispossesses Vermaelen heading towards goal, but a free-kick is given.
24': Arsenal have a free-kick from 40 yards. Van Persie to take.
25': Koscielny climbs well to get his head on the Dutchman's cross, but the ball goes tamely into the arms of Abbiati.
26': Corner to Arsenal as Mexes clears behind. Cleared by Boateng.
28': More Arsenal possession, but Milan looking dangerous on the counter-attack every time. Dangerous.
29': Nothing doing for either side in midfield.
30': Looked for a second like Ibrahimovic might have a chance for Milan there, but offside correctly given.
31': Koscielny gives the ball away to Robinho in a dangerous area, but Ibrahimovic is offside once more.
33': Tough times for Arsenal, Milan forcing them back a bit.
34': Nocerino fires a volley over the bar for Milan, as Antonini crosses from the left.
35': Ibrahimovic and Koscielny having a few words as the Swede feels he was caught in the face by the Arsenal defender. Nothing of note says the referee.
36': Antonini cuts out a clever back-heel from Ramsay to Van Persie.
36': Vermaelen gives the ball to Robinho, with Ibrahimovic free in the middle. The Brazilian delays and Koscielny rescues his defensive partner
37': Some dodgy defending from Arsenal here, who look far from assured at the back in the face of Milan pressure.
38': GOAL Milan 2-0 Arsenal - Robinho heads home to doubele the lead!!! Ibrahimovic bursts down the left for Milan and picks out a completely unmarked Robinho who heads home at the near-post.
40': Ibrahimovic given offside again. Arsenal really struggling to control the Milan attack.
41': Koscielny limping. This would be a huge blow for Arsenal if he could not continue. Seems ok for the moment.
42': Boateng crosses without pressure from the right and Sagna just does enough to deny Ibrahimovic a free header. Terrible from Arsenal.
43': Milan are absolutely dominating here. Arsenal need to get closer to the attacking players on the flanks.
45': Arsenal finally getting there foot on the ball again. But, struggling to make any inroads into the Milan defence.
45': Two minutes added time...
45': Greedy! Ibrahimovic unleashes Boateng who has acres of space ahead of him. Could cut back for Robinho, but fires wide instead.
45': Antonini Ibrahimovic plays a delightful through-ball to Antonini, but Szczesny does enough to deny the full-back. Harsh yellow.
45': HALF TIME Milan 2-0 Arsenal
46': SECOND HALF underway
46': Thierry Henry replaces Theo Walcott
46': Van Persie immediately tries to play in Henry, but the pass is woeful.
47': Robinho runs at Sagna and Djourou who only just deal with the situation.
48': Ibrahimovic this time given far too much room on the left. Tries to pick out Boateng with a low cross, but Djourou scrambles the ball away.
49': GOAL Milan 3-0 Arsenal - Robinho adds a second!!! Zlatan lays the ball off to the Brazilian, Vermaelen slips and Robinho fires home from the edge of the area.
50': Oh dear. Arsenal desperately need an away goal here to have any hope.
52': Milan have plenty of space on the attack. Luckily for Arsenal, Emanuelson's touch is terrible.
53': Milan attack once more, but the ball is taken by Song. Boateng wants a free-kick, nothing given.
55': Song tries to slide in Henry, but Mexes deals with the problem with ease.
56': Looks like Boateng may have a great chance, then the Ghanaian fails to control the ball. Wasted.
57': Sagna gets forward for the first-time this evening, but crosses straight to Abbiati.
58': Gibbs gets down the left now. Abate puts the ball behind for a corner.
59': Milan counter with numbers and it is unbelievably easy. But, Antonini hits a terrible shot with better options available.
61': Robinho rounds Gibbs with ease and breaks into the box, but can't get a shot away.
62': Mexes Booked for a shirt pull on Rosicky as Arsenal broke forward.
63': Van Persie takes the free-kick, but the ball hits the wall and bounces through to Abbiati.
64': Van Persie swings in a corner from the right, but Ramsay heads well over.
65': Arsenal's best move of the night. Henry flicks Song's pass beautifully to Van Persie who hits a beautiful volley at goal. Abbiati saves well low to his left.
66': Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Kieron Gibbs
67': Some confusion as to who Arsenal's left-back is. Vermaelen moves across, with Song at centre-back.
68': Ramsey sprays a pass to nobody. Pretty representative of Arsenal's night that pass. Abbiati collects.
69': A hopeful long-ball earns Milan a corner after Robinho pressure on Sagna. What can they do?
70': Massimo Ambrosini replaces Kevin Prince Boateng
70': The corner comes to nothing as Ibrahimovic flicks the ball behind for a goal-kick.
71': Thiago Silva rises high to clear Van Persie's cross. Milan counter, before Song trips Ibrahimovic.
72': Song
73': Milan really taking the heat out of the game. They seem very content with the 3-0 and don't want to concede an away goal.
74': Arsenal are being unbelievably sloppy in possession. Arsene Wenger will not be impressed.
75': Oxlade-Chamberlain attacks down the right hand-side, well defended by Milan. Goal-kick.
76': Van Persie takes on a volley with his right-foot, but it is scuffed and dealt with by Abbiati.
77': Corner to Milan as Vermaelen allows a cross to come in from the right. Opportunity wasted.
78': PENALTY Johann Djourou wrestles Ibrahimovic to the ground after he is beaten with ease by the Swede.
79': GOAL Milan 4-0 Arsenal - Ibrahimovic scores from the spot! Hard and low to Szczesny's right.
80': Bad to worse for Arsenal. The defensive failings of this side highlighted tonight.
81': Ambrosini booked for a lunge in midfield. Misses second-leg.
82': Appeals for a penalty as Van Persie throws himself to the ground. Nothing given.
83': Arsenal look as though they are going to attack Milan, but when the opportunity presents itself they head backwards. Rosicky then slices a shot well wide for a throw-in.
84': Pato replaces compatiot Robinho
85': Chance for Arsenal. Oxlade-Chamberlain crosses and Van Persie heads, saved by Abbiati. Corner cleared.
85': Pato counters but loses control of the ball.
86': Oxlade-Chamberlain attacks down the left. Ball is easily cleared after some trickery from the winger.
87': Good cross from the left from Arsenal. But, Thiago Silva deals with the danger with ease.
89': Scrappy stuff in midfield now. Milan are quite happy to see the game head that way.
90': Ibrahimovic finds Pato in acres of space near the edge of the box. A terrible first-touch allows Djourou to cover across.
90': Ramsey once more passes to no-one. A tough night for the young Welshman.
90': Urby Emanuelson takes on an ambitious effort from just outside the area. Well over.
90': Ramsey breaks down the left and crosses, but straight to Abbiati once more.
90': Pato is all by himself, breaks forward and hits his shot straight at Szczesny. Poor from the Brazilian.
90': FULL TIME Milan 4-0 Arsenal

Statistics

ARS		MIL
10	Fouls	12
2	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
0	Offsides	6
6	Corner Kicks	5
1	Saves	4
57.1	Possession	42.9
8	SHOTS	18
4	ON GOAL	5
0.5	On Target %	0.3
0	Penalty Goals	1
0	Penalty Kicks Taken	0
443	Accurate Passes	310
532	Passes	404
0.8	Pass Completion %	0.8
3	Accurate Crosses	5
23	Crosses	17
0.1	Cross %	0.3
68	Long Balls	60
45	Accurate Long Balls	39
0.7	Long Balls %	0.7
1	Blocked Shots	2
8	Effective Tackles	8
9	Tackles	11
0.9	Tackle %	0.7
0	Interceptions	0
16	Effective Clearances	15
22	Clearances	24

Game Information

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Venue: Giuseppe Meazza
Location: ,
Attendance: 68,257

Line-Ups

AC Milan (4-1-2-1-2)

No.	Name
32	Christian Abbiati (GK)
33	Thiago Silva
5	Philippe Mexes
4	Mark van Bommel
77	Luca Antonini
20	Ignazio Abate
27	Kevin-Prince Boateng
10	Clarence Seedorf
22	Antonio Nocerino
70	Robinho
11	Zlatan Ibrahimovic

AC Milan Substitutes:

Stephan El Shaarawy, Marco Amelia, Massimo Ambrosini, Urby Emanuelson, Daniele Bonera, Alexandre Pato, Alessandro Nesta.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)

No.	Name
13	Wojciech Szczesny (GK)
5	Thomas Vermaelen
6	Laurent Koscielny
28	Kieran Gibbs
3	Bacary Sagna
8	Mikel Arteta
17	Alex Song
10	Robin van Persie
16	Aaron Ramsey
7	Tomas Rosicky
14	Theo Walcott

Arsenal Substitutes:

Thierry Henry, Andrey Arshavin, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Johan Djourou, Francis Coquelin, Lukasz Fabianski, Yossi Benayoun.

UEFA Champions League News

Olley: Postecoglou's style was too volatile for Tottenham

James Olley reacts to Tottenham's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou.

How would Reijnders & Cherki fit in Man City's XI?

Julien Laurens puts together a potential starting XI for Manchester City next season.

Laurens: I don't understand why AC Milan want Modric

Julien Laurens reacts to Luka Modric's potential free transfer to AC Milan.

Guardiola just wants Man City to sign 'good players' this summer

Pep Guardiola speaks about the challenges Man City face this summer and their transfer hopes.

Stand aside, Messi and Ronaldo: Yamal and Doué are coming

Champions Leagues, World Cups, Ballons d'Or ... get ready for PSG's Désiré Doué and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to become this generation's Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.