AC Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu says referee was Arsenal’s best player

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Arsenal defeated AC Milan 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has told reporters that the referee was Arsenal’s best player on the night as his side crashed out of the Europa League at the Emirates Stadium, Tuttomercatoweb reports.

The Italian giants went into the game looking to make history, as a 2-0 home defeat to the Gunners at the San Siro last week meant they were huge underdogs to overturn the tie in North London.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side did, however, halve the deficit via a wonderful effort from Calhanoglu during the opening period but almost immediately they were pegged back as Arsenal equalised from the penalty spot.

Danny Welbeck was the man adjudged to have been fouled, but replays showed little contact and Milan were obviously incensed with the decision along with several other incidents throughout the game.

Speaking immediately after the 3-1 loss, Calhanoglu was not shy in letting his feelings known as he labelled the referee as the opponent’s best player, before adding he will never forget it.

“We played well, which is not easy to do here. We scored a goal and then they were gifted an equaliser. That is not normal in the Europa League, it was incredible,” the midfielder explained.

“We are anxious for the performance, we have shown a good reaction. We had opportunities and we never gave up, but this is football. The referee was the best player on the pitch, I won’t forget that.”

Calhanoglu was not the only one who questioned the referee’s decision, with Milan boss Gattuso also suggesting the official made a mistake, although he did not want to get drawn in to laying the blame of defeat at his feet.

Ultimately Milan’s performance during the first hour or so at the San Siro cost them, as allowing Arsenal to score two away goals and comfortably see out a 2-0 win left them with a mountain to climb.

Welbeck converted his penalty and added a second late on with a close-range header, although the talk after the game will evolve around his alleged dive with pundits such as Alan Shearer not impressed.