Wenger: Our worst night in Europe

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described his side’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of AC Milan as ‘our worst night in Europe’ following their 2011-12 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Round Tie on Wednesday night.

A double by Robinho as well as goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed AC Milan a well deserved 4-0 home victory over an abysmal Arsenal side at the San Siro.

The victory all but ensured the Rossoneri, who currently lie in second place in the Serie A off a place in the quarter-final stages whilst the defeat was the Gunners biggest ever in this competition.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger was forthright in his assessment of the game and of his side as Arsenal will quickly have to re-group ahead of their F.A. Cup Quarter-Final Tie away to Sunderland.

“It was of those nights you never forget. It is our worst night in Europe, we were punished and deservedly so. We were very poor offensively and defensively. We were beaten everywhere,” a dejected Wenger said at his post match media conference as Arsenal will host AC Milan in their return leg in a fortnight’s time.

“There was not one moment in the 90 minutes we were really in the game. What made it worse is that we had to chase the game. It was always the same problem, balls over the top and we were well beaten.”

“It is difficult to analyse. I think it is better not to talk too much. We need to analyse with a cooler header and regroup for the next game,” added Wenger whose last trip to the San Siro was a much more happier occasion after his Gunners beat the Rossoneri 2-0 in the knockout stages of the same competition a few years ago.

His counterpart in Massimiliano Allegri was delighted with his team’s performance and thought his side could have scored more as they played the Gunners off the park.

“Tonight we had so many chances, especially after going 4-0 up,” a beaming Allegri told reporters afterwards. “We could’ve won 6-0 and ought to take our chances when they appear, above all in Europe.”

“I hoped to add some more to the result, because we have to take the opportunities. The result is good, but it would’ve been better to score a few more and definitively end the tie. Now we need a goal in London to relax.”

“The team played almost perfectly, attacking our opponents from the start on all areas of the pitch. In terms of concentration we got it all right and the side showed the right spirit of sacrifice to win. We must always play this way in Europe and Italy so we can win every trophy.”

Former Portsmouth man Kevin-Prince Boateng opened the scoring with a sublime 14^th minute striker before another player who used to apply his trade in England in ex-Manchester City striker Robinho doubled his side’s advantage with a 38^th minute header.

Robinho added his second and his side’s third with a wonderful individual effort and strike three minutes into the second half and Ibrahimovic sealed what was a great night with his first, from the penalty spot in the 78^th minute.

In the other Round of 16 Tie played on Wednesday night a brace by Roman Shirokov ensured Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg will take a slender advantage into their return leg after a 3-2 home victory over Portuguese side Benfica played at the Petrovski Stadium.