Arsenal's Top 5 games in the Champions League

2. AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal (2008 – Round of 16)

This was a game that 90% of the football fans predicted Arsenal to lose. (I maybe wrong but where are you going to find proof, hmm?). To put things into perspective, Arsenal were playing the defending champions at the San Siro managed by Carlo Ancelotti, where AC Milan had won their previous four games in the Champions League. And Milan had never lost to an English opponent in 11 previous meetings at the San Siro.

Milan’s starting line up had the likes of Maldini, Nesta, Ambrosinim Pirlo, Gattuso, Kaka and Inzaghi – Champions League veterans! Arsenal started with Abou Diaby on the left flank and Emmanuel Eboue on the right, with Flamini and Fabregas in midfield behind Hleb and Adebayor. Also, Arsenal had not won their previous four matches. Who would you have picked to win on paper?

Not until the end of the first half did Arsenal seriously start to threaten Milan, who until then were favourites to win the game. Fabregas hit the bar, Hleb was fouled at the edge of the box but the decision wasn’t given and Adebayor missed open chances. The game was relentless in the second half as well with both teams creating chances. And then, Fabregas scored probably his best goal in an Arsenal shirt!

He got the best of Gattuso in midfield with a sudden burst of pace and then let fly a shot that skimmed the pitch and nestled in the back of the net. The San Siro was stunned as the Arsenal players chased Fabregas who ran up to Wenger by the touchline and received a warm embrace. And before Milan could recover, Adebayor finished things off from a low Walcott cross in stoppage time.

AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal FC (Agg: 0-2) 4/3/2008… by phj4nh_pr0_9x