OTD Arsenal stage plucky (almost) comeback against Milan

On 6 March 2012, Arsenal beat AC Milan 3-0 at the Emirates after losing 4-0 at the San Siro.

After getting torn apart in Italy, no one expected Arsenal to progress past the final 16 of the Champions League – a trend we seem to enjoy sticking to.

Although we didn’t, we did give it a good go and exited Europe with our heads held high.

An early goal in the sixth minute from Laurent Koscielny sparked the Emirates crowd, all 59,973 of them (minus Milan fans probably), into life and in the 26th minute, Tomas Rosicky doubled Arsenal’s lead.

Just before the break, Robin van Persie coolly slotted home a penalty after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was blocked off by Daniel Mesbah.

The Arsenal fans were in fine voice that night and felt sure their team could deliver a winner in the second half.

Sadly, it didn’t happen, despite everyone willing Arsenal on, but no fan could have said they were unhappy with the performance that night.

Little did they know, they’d be seeing this same pattern occur for years to come.