There is a stale-mate in the chess match.
Arsenal will go goalless to the San Siro in a fortnight's time
after they failed to breakthrough Milan's resolute defence on a
night of high-tension at Emirates Stadium.
The first half of this first leg was coy and cagey. The second
was more open but equally tactical with the home side broadly in
control. Emmanuel Eboue, Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor all might
have given Arsenal a crucial lead. The Togolese striker also headed
against the bar with the last touch of the match.
But Italian sides are the masters of brinkmanship - especially
one with the experience of this Milan outfit. And Carlo Ancelotti's
team caused sufficient moments of consternation in the home defence
to suggest to they can threaten more on home soil.
However Arsène Wenger will be equally optimistic given his
side's dominance on the night.
It promises to be one hell of a second leg.
After the deep disappointment of Saturday, Wenger was able to
welcome back Bacary Sagna, Mathieu Flamini, Adebayor and Gael
Clichy into his starting line-up. All had been absent entirely or
barely-fit substitutes at Old Trafford. Denilson and Theo Walcott
were also back from injury to buoy the bench. Despite reports,
giant Australian keeper Zeljko Kalac did start for Milan after
recovering from a hand injury.
On paper, visiting side was a mini 'Who's Who' of world
football. Maldini, Gattuso, Seedorf, Nesta, Pirlo, Ambrosini and,
of course, Kaka were names we knew well. Tonight, Emirates Stadium
could judge whether the likes of Fabregas, Flamini, Adebayor,
Toure, Gallas and Clichy now had more resonance.
This particular corner of North London had been red-and-black
for much of the afternoon. The San Siro is known a footballing
cathedral but perhaps Emirates Stadium is starting to draw a
congregation of its own these days.
As the first whistle approached, red-and-white began to match,
then overtake the red-and-black. But whatever your colours tonight
you were tense. It was going to be one of those nervy European
nights.
Arsenal had to reshuffle inside seven minutes. Kolo Toure bore
the brunt of Pato's drive and Philippe Senderos came on.
Between the injury and the substitution, Clarence Seedorf sent
over a corner and Paolo Maldini's flashing header was expertly
turned aside by Lehmann.
Adebayor nodded wide from Emmanuel Eboue's inviting cross almost
immediately and, as the half wore, the Togolese striker would
emerge as Arsenal's greatest threat.
The Milan defenders were wary of the 23-year-old's direct and
muscular front-running. His reputation had obviously reached
Northern Italy.
To be honest, the first half was turning into an enigmatic
affair; the quality of each side was obvious but neither side was
prepared push forward to any extent.
It took 36 minutes for a flowing move to produce a shot on goal.
Eboue fooled his marker and cut in from the byline to fed Flamini.
His first-time shot was saved by Kalac.
It was an indication that Arsenal were easing into the
ascendancy. Before the break, Adebayor's heavy pass cost Fabregas a
clear shot on goal and the home fans had claims for a penalty after
Flamini had tricked his way into the area.
But it had been a largely sterile first half.
Five minutes after the restart it was Milan's turn to lose a
man. Alessandro Nesta went off seemingly concussed and Marek
Jankulovski came on. And, again in symmetry to the first half, the
visitors nearly conceded from a corner when Kaka turned a nervous
header inches past his own post.
The Milan goal was starting to come under scrutiny. Alex Hleb
stormed down the right and Eboue swept a shot just wide while
Adebayor scored an offside goal and was then denied by the
onrushing Kalac.
In the 55th minute, Fabregas fed Eduardo on the edge of the area
and he flashed a rasping shot inches over the bar.
Arsenal had taken control. Now they had to score the goal their
football deserved.
However, just past the hour, the home side literally had a shot
across the bows when Massimo Oddo appeared at the far post to fire
over the bar. A few minutes later, Kaka sliced an effort wide as
Milan continued to suggest they had regained their composure.
In fact, with 20 minutes left, it was Arsenal turn to look
rattled as Pato bustled through and Clichy hurried cleared his line
before a melee ensued.
Just after Nicklas Bendtner had replaced Eduardo, Fabregas
forced a low save from Kalac. Ten minutes the Australian held onto
an altogether more dangerous shot from the Spaniard from a similar
distance.
Substitute Alberto Gilardino nearly nodded home at the near post
with four minutes left but Lehmann grabbed the ball on the
line.
Arsenal continued to pressure and, with a minute left, Bendtner
blazed over at the near post.
It seemed to be their last chance to make home advantage tell
before Adebayor rattled the bar from a cross by substitute Theo
Walcott.
So nearly the perfect ending.
