Szczesny 5 – The first three goals were down to poor defending not Szczesny, and our keeper was unlucky not to have saved Ibrahimovic’s penalty. However, his goal-kicks always seemed to go to Milan players, and there was a bit of miscommunication with the centre-backs on occasion.
Bacary Sagna 5 - Was beaten on way too many occasions by Ibrahimovic and was often caught out of position. Found it hard to work the ball forward because Walcott wasn’t very helpful.
Koscielny 5.5 Forced off just before half-time with a knee injury and replaced by Djourou. Was Arsenals “best” defender on the night, although when you look at the other defensive performances that was hardly difficult.
Vermaelen 4 Unusually disorientated. Made lots of stray passes and failed to mark any of the AC players effectively (in particular Boateng, Ibra and Robinho). Was unlucky to have slipped and gifted Robinho his second.
Gibbs 5 Given a start in his first game back since his long-term injury, and struggled as much as Sagna. AC exploited the poor performances by our wing-backs by making full use of the width of the pitch.
Song 5 Found it very difficult to cope with Milan’s movement off the ball, but did at least look like he was putting in a bit of effort.
Arteta 4 Unusually quiet as he was clearly outplayed Van Bommel and Nocerino.
Ramsey 4 Struggled as much as Arteta to really stamp any sort of authority on the game, and barely touched the ball.
Walcott 3.5 Wasn’t even aware that he was on the pitch after about the first 5 minutes. Was suitably substituted at half time.
Rosicky 5 Didn’t offer much defensively, but made a few good runs and seemed to be just about the only attacking player who was actually putting in any effort.
van Persie 5 Left isolated, struggled for ideas and was not given any sort of support. Forced Abbiati into two saves, which were our only two even vaguely decent opportunities in the game.
Substitutes:
Djourou 4 – It was inevitable that Johan would give away a penalty. He has become almost Eboué-esque in his clumsiness. I don’t think that it was a penalty, but he made clumsy contact with Ibrahimovic and left himself open to it.
Henry 5.5 – One of the only players to show a little bit of creativity and attempted to re-organise the team and find that vital away goal. Not a fitting end for what will probably be his last ever appearance for Arsenal. On a half time for the superbly average Walcott.
Oxlade-Chamberlain 5.5 – Looked very dangerous whenever he had the ball because Milan couldn’t deal with his pace. Kept hold of the ball well and put in a few decent crosses in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch.
Why in gods name does Theo Walcott get 3,5, he should be below 0 if possible. Played the invisible man to perfection, would really like to see how many times over the past couple of games he has lost the ball, right after he gets it. Hopefully he will be the first to leave in the summer.
Yes, bad all round. It was not the team or tactic I suggested,, but individually and collectively they would have had to have done better in any event.
My preference fo Coquelin over Rosicky would have provided more energy and urgency I feel. Also it would have emphasised the point was to defend first, and only get a goal when the opportunity or necessity arose.
Having Arshavin behind RVP also would have kept a threat alive if we broke quickly enough.
I also suggested leaving Walcott/AOC as subs. Despite Henry and AOC proving to be our best attackers, I think it was wise to keep AOC until the second half – with half an eye on the Cup game against Sunderland.
As for the second leg, I can see Milan playing even more on the counter attack, which will be harder to break them down, but if we did get a couple they could get nervous away from home, and may be a sending off?
Realistically, the FA Cup is our best chance this season … Let’s hope they don’t blow it!