UCL: Arsenal 0 AC Milan 0

77.71 mins! That's about as much as I got from my hubstation recording...

Damn SCV schedules really pisses me off at crucial times like these!

Nevertheless, the Gunners did bring the best out of themselves in this match. Even the "much-hated" Eboue had a good game. All it needed was a goal and the home side really looked good for it. Milan's expected world-class defensive display was the only highlight of their meek performance in this match but I expect them to be different at San Siro. Kalac was the busier of the two 'keepers and the 6-7" giant was equally strong in the air and ground to twart all that Arsenal threw at him. I missed the last quarter of the match but based on reports, Ade had a header against the bar? Well, here's my 3/4 player review:

Lehmann (7/10) - Had one of his better games this season and never made a mistake. Solid all-round performance, that's what we need from him 'till the end of the season!

Gallas (7/10) - Drove the team on well from the back and occasionally went forward with confidence, though didn't have much of an impact in the final third. Defensively solid but his lack of pace against wonderkid Pato is sought of a concern..

Senderos (Toure) (8/10) - Sendy played one of his best games. Replacing injured Toure very early in the game, he will be proud of his performance against the attacking team led by Kaka. Won numerous headers and broke up crucial passes with timely slides. Thank goodness!

Clichy (8/10) - His crosses and passes has been magnificent in this match, proving that he has definitely worked on this for awhile. Some tricks down the flanks was a delight to watch and his defensive duties was done superbly. Nothing less from our 1st choice LB.

Sagna (7/10) - Didn't perform as brilliant as Clichy but did enough to twart the Milan forwards with his positioning and pace. We have seen how effective his runs down the right and into boxes could hurt oppositions but didn't see much of that here. Well, it's his 1st season after all yeah?!

Flamini (8/10) - The Rock of Arsenal's midfield has done it again. Popping up everywhere and giving Gattuso his own medicine, Flamini certainly proves that he belongs in this team. In the past seasons, I never could quite imagine him being the Vieira for us but he certainly has done it with displays like this. Whenever Cesc loses the ball, Flamini would be behind sweeping up the loose balls or putting in Gattuso-like tackles. If there was ever an award for Top Miles Covered, he would get it. A great chance for a goal when he turned a defender inside out and layed off a short mid-cross from the touchline but Kalac did enough to punch it away. Brilliant performance!

Cesc (8/10) - As I've mentioned before, whenever Cesc gets pumped up for a game you would most probably see a great Arsenal performance. Milan did not try to play him off the park so Cesc had the space to play his game. Great crosses and passing put Milan on the backfoot for much of the game. Tackled hard when he needed to and was behind most of the moves. Brilliant!

Eboue (7.5/10) - He has finally shown why Wenger still keeps faith in him. One of his better performance and his dribbbling skills managed to get him past Milan's defenders a few times. Missed a great chance to score in the 2nd half but has done enough to pleased us fans for this match.

Hleb (7/10) - I felt he didn't really contribute alot in making chances but he certainly did perform well. His quickness of feet had left some Milan players confused and his passing had been on target. An important player for Arsenal nonetheless!

Eduardo (Bendtner) (6/10) - Didn't have a great game, not good even. Fluffed chances and a miserable shot to the corner flag before being replaced by Bendtner (whom I didn't have enough time to watch in action) in the 2nd half. Should be a good learning experience for him.

Ade (7/10) - Missed alot of chances which could have killed Milan off and bring great confidence for the return at San Siro. But it was not to be and the youthful Gunners know they have to do even better come the 2nd-leg. His headers and runs were carefully dealt with by the world-class Milan defence (marshalled by the great Maldini and Nesta) and on any given day, Ade would have scored against lesser opposition. Good learning curve for him too.

Overall: Arsenal did us proud despite not scoring and IF we were to bow out in the 2nd-leg, I would not be too upset about this as it will bring hordes of experience to Cesc & Gang. Right now, and hopefully, the Gunners can bring this performance for the remainder of the Premiership season and we would be home & dry..

What do you think? Are my player reviews accurate?

Photo courtesy of arsenal.com