Post Match Reaction: Newcastle (H)

Another late winner has seen us keep up our charge for a top four finish, now just one point behind third placed Spurs.

Positives:
Wenger called Theo Walcott's performance his best ever in an Arsenal shirt and it's hard to disagree. The electric paced winger caused Newcastle problems all evening whilst the rejuvenated Tomas Rosicky celebrated signing a new deal with yet another man of the match performance. And then there's Vermaelen's late winner...

Negatives:
Kieran Gibbs was left exposed for Hatem Ben Arfa's opener and you have to wonder if the Englishman has the qualities needed to hold down a place as our regular left-back.

Conclusion:
Three more points, and great character to show such spirit in the dying seconds. A fantastic victory against a fellow top four rival (that's Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle all seen off in recent weeks) and we are now breathing heavily down Spurs' necks.

Post Match Reaction: AC Milan (H)

A stunning match, a stunning performance, a stunning comeback. Unfortunately, it was too little too late.

Positives:
Let's remember. Yes we are out of the Champions League. But tonight we beat AC Milan 3-0 in the Champions League. It was an utterly fantastic performance and the way he fought back three goals before half-time was truly heroic. Koscielny was a rock once more in defence, Rosicky's swansong continues as he controlled the midfield, and Oxlade Chamberlain's electric runs showed us that in a few years we could have our very own Lionel Messi in the England team. Walcott's pace was a constant thorn in the side for Milan left back Mesbah, who had a woeful game, and nobody can fault Arsenal football club for their efforts tonight.

Negatives:
Unfortunately our poor showing in Italy three weeks ago has cost us dear tonight. We ran out of energy and purpose once Oxlade Chamberlain went off with a second half injury and our lack of options on the bench meant we could never change the game once our starting eleven tired. With only 2 midfeilders fit to start and eleven first team players out injured, we were forced to throw Chamakh and Park Chu Young on and neither was likely to score.

Conclusion:
With the score at 3-0, a rebound fell kindly to an unmarked Robin Van Persie in the Milan six yard box. Whilst the ground expected our talisman to sweep it home and equalise the scores on aggregate, Robin decided to delicately chip it over nearby Milan goalie Christian Abbiati. Unfortunately, the only man who read this move was Abbiati himself, and clawed the ball away. That was the turning point.

Mission... Impossible?

As Arsenal go into their Champions League tie with AC Milan tonight, it's worth remembering no club side has ever managed to overturn a 4 goal deficit from the first leg. If the Gunners are to reach the Quarter Finals of this season's competition, then they must make history.

It's easy to remember how outclassed Wenger's men were in Milan three weeks ago, but let's not forget; the game came at a time when confidence and team morale was at an all time low. Arsene's army are very much 'a confidence side' and after that oh-so-remarkable comeback against bitter rivals Tottenham, and a victory at Anfield at the weekend, the Gunners are in resurgent form. Wenger himself was recently laced with the manager of the month award - a suprise to many; none more so than the Frenchman himself.

Kieran Gibbs told Sky Sports that in games like this, "You really enjoy it" and it's easy to see where the Englishman is coming from. Arsenal have nothing to lose. They are a wounded animal, playing for pride, and playing to prove a point and restore themselves in front of their home fans.

Sure, AC Milan are four goals up. Going forward they're amongst the best in the world. The likes of Robinho and the mecurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic can score at any time; just ask Wojceich Szczesny. One away goal effectively finsihes the tie with Arsenal needing six. But it's Milan who have it all to lose tonight.

Arsene Wenger has said that if his side can pull of this remarkable turnaround,
it will be the greatest achieveent of his managerial career. With eleven first team players missing through injury, it will certainly be an uphill task for the man they call 'The Professor' but with 31 goal Robin van Persie (18 in his 17 home matches) in his ranks, surely anything is possible.

When looking for crumbs of comfort, it may reassure Arsenal fans that the two most astounding comebacks of Champions League history have come against tonight's opponents, AC Milan.

The 2005 final in Istanbul, with Liverpool conquering a three-goal half-time deficit to become European champions, and in similiar circumstances just one year earlier.
Deportivo La Coruna, 4-1 down from the first leg at the San Siro, with a 4-0 second leg victory to progress at the expense of an Italian side containing the likes of Paolo Maldini, Kaka, and Andrei Shevchenko.

Post Match Reaction: Liverpool (A)

Robin van Persie once more showed his world-class credentials with a stoppage time volley to secure three points at Anfield.

Positives:
Three more points, our grip on fourth tightened after Chelsea's loss, and an utterly superb RVP winner - even by his exceptional standards! It's fair to say on the whole, we didn't deserve the win. But the way we dug in for all three points was commendable and something we've rarely seen under Wenger. Wojciech Szczesny was in fantastic form, a stunning first half double save from Dirk Kuyt's penalty proving a vital moment. As for the assists for van Persie's goals, you will hard pushed to find two more accurate passes all season. Alex Song is quickly becoming our unsung hero.

Negatives:
On another day, the outcome could have been so different. At times, we were outplayed by a fairly average Liverpool side, and it was only the brilliance of Szczesny that stopped us from going in at half-time three or four goals down.

Conclusion:
Our confidence is building once more and with Liverpool now 10 points behind us, our chances of grabbing that elusive 4th spot are looking all the more likely. On a weekend where Newcastle, Chelsea and Spurs all dropped points, Robin van Persie's importance was highlighted to us once more. And it's now imperative the Arsenal board break their wage structure to ensure he stays at the Emirates in summer.