In recent times Arsenal have had positive experiences on their Champions League travels in Italy. Here are five of the best…
Roma 1-3 Arsenal, November 2002
Thierry Henry bagged a hat-trick in this memorable win, which gave the side confidence that they could go to Italy and beat the best. Arsenal went 1-0 down to Antonio Cassano’s fifth minute opener but Henry struck back for Arsenal just one minute later. The sides went in level at half-time, with Henry scoring in the 70th and 75th minute to seal a memorable win. This was one of Wenger’s side first big results in Europe, and a 1-1 draw back at Highbury was just a formality with the Gunners already qualified for the next stage.
Inter Milan 1-5 Arsenal, November 2003
This match was just a Champions League group stages clash, but it truly announced the club as one of Europe’s growing forces. There was another virtuoso display from Thierry Henry, who ran Inter ragged, scoring twice. They had been beaten 3-0 at Highbury by the same side just weeks earlier, which made the scoreline even more remarkable. In addition to Henry, Ljungberg, Edu and Pires all scored, with Christian Vieri netting a 33rd minute equaliser for the hosts. Henry scored Arsenal’s third in the 85th minute, and the side ran riot, adding two more before the final whistle.
AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal, March 2008
This is the match which will have most bearing on tonight’s clash. It was a Champions League second round second leg, following a drab 0-0 draw at the Emirates. This match too seemed destined for extra time, until Cesc Fabregas rifled in a superb effort from the edge of the box in the 85th minute. It was a crucial away goal which left Milan needing to score twice in six minutes, and as they rushed forward, Emmanuel Adebayor scored a second in injury time to seal a 2-0 win for Arsenal, to take them to a semi-final with Manchester United.
Roma 1-0 Arsenal, Arsenal win on penalties, March 2009
Yes Arsenal may have lost this game in 90 minutes, but they were the ones who left the stadium smiling after a miraculous rearguard effort. In this second round clash they had a 1-0 lead from the first leg, secured through a Van Persie penalty, but they lost that advantage after just six minutes thanks to a goal from Roma defender Juan. Arsenal survived through extra time by the skin of their teeth, with some superb last-ditch defending. It was a shootout where nobody wanted to miss, but Arsenal eventually won it 7-6 with Roma’s Max Tonetto missing in sudden death.
Udinese 1-2 Arsenal, August 2011
This Champions League qualifier meant as much as any knockout game to Arsenal’s supporters. With a 1-0 first leg lead, Antonio di Natale cancelled it out with a fist half header for the home side. Arsenal were fielding very much a weakened team, with youngsters Frimpong and Jenkinson both thrown in at the deep end. The tie rested on Wojciech Szczesny’s superb flying save from di Natale’s second half penalty, which would have given the Italians the lead. The save inspired Arsenal who countered when Van Persie was set up by Gervinho and then Theo Walcott wrapped it up with a well struck winner, making it 3-1 on aggregate.
Can Arsenal win in AC Milan tonight?
image: © marklunch1
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