The almost miracle!

Arsenal exited the Champions League last night and the reaction of the Milan players at the final whistle showed how close we were to causing the greatest comeback and upset in Champions League history. There were no celebrations on the pitch by the Milan players, they simply exchanged shirts with the Arsenal players and headed down the tunnel.

After the shambles which took place at the San Siro and at the Stadium of Light a few days later, you would have long odds on this sort of performance and turnaround. The players were fantastic in the first half and it showed what they are truly capable of if they play football on a proper pitch, unlike the cattle turf they were given in Milan.

I do not want to pick out any specific player, as every single one of them played like warriors on the night, but a mention has to go to Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain who was world-class on the night. Just as Jack Wilshere had done last season v Barcelona, Chamberlain produced arguably his best display in an Arsenal shirt against a world-class outfit. Starting in his preferred central midfield position it was a perfect all round performance by him in the first half. He played with dynamism, running at the Milan defence at pace and committing players. He also was equally impressive at the other end, tracking back to help out the back four at keeping the back door shut. He played as though he has been playing in the Arsenal midfield for years and enormous credit must go to him and Arsene Wenger for the strides he has made this season.

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We all feel gutted, disappointed and proud at the same time but hand to heart I am sure every Gooner would have taken this sort of performance and result if they were offered it at the start of the match. What this does prove though is that if we play with the same intensity and pressure every game we are capable of beating any team in the world. The team should take the enormous positives from the game and try to nail down that fourth spot.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was making it a point to let the whole world know that he turned down Arsenal at a young age and how it was the correct decision, but after last night the players showed him what it means to wear the famous red and white of Arsenal.

If anyone of you are following Cesc Fabregas on Twitter, his tweet after the game summed up the feelings of every Gooner. He may have left Arsenal in the summer but it shows that his love for the club is still strong as ever.

The Spaniard tweeted: