What AC Milan’s hammering of Arsenal says about the strength of the EPL?

There was a lot of hope behind Arsenal’s visit to the San Siro on Wednesday night to play Italian champions AC Milan. The last-16 Champions League tie was an opportunity for Arsenal to fly the flag for English football, show that their old, wise manager hasn’t lost it tactically on the big stage and to prove once again that the Premier League rules the roost on the European front. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite go according to plan.

Well, a summary like that would be an understatement. The game finished 4-0, emphatically, in AC Milan’s favour. A brace from Robinho sandwiched between a magnificent Kevin-Prince Boateng strike and a Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty leaves the Rossoneri with one foot firmly in the quarter finals. Arsene Wenger got it wrong – horribly wrong. The Gunners were out-fought, out-thought and out-classed by a Milan side who looked more keen than ever to get their hands on a trophy which hasn’t graced the San Siro trophy cabinet for nearly five years. Arsenal (although having a fair amount of the ball) were weak in possession, sloppy at the back and incredibly timid in the final third. It was, all-in-all, a very disappointing night and leaves them with it all to do for the return leg.

Looking at the bigger picture, this defeat could possibly bring into question the difference in quality between the Premier League when up against Serie A, the Bundesliga and La Liga. An English club was desperately found wanting on a night which gave them a platform to showcase their intent for the remainder of the season. AC Milan glided through the game – punishing every weakness in Arsenal’s armour, attacking purposefully and defending well when the opposition did have the ball. It was a fine example of how to perform in the first half of a two-legged affair. Clinical with their chances, shutting out at the back. Edged out in possession, yes, but that mattered little when their opponents did nothing with it.

Now, we’re all admirers of the Premier League. Of course we are – on its day it’s without doubt the most exciting competition in world. It’s a fast-paced game filled with intensity and passion. Disagree? Simply watch the second half of the Chelsea-Manchester United game from a few weeks ago. An absolute see-saw of a match which ended in a gripping 3-3 draw. Is there something missing though? There’s a certain tactical edge, an organised game plan, a patient passing game, which overseas teams tend to adopt better than we do. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Milan – all giants of the European game and all conquerors of Premier League clubs in the last 12 months – seem to be streets ahead of their British suitors on these fronts.

It would be terrific, nay, amazing if Arsenal achieved the impossible and overturned this deficit. It would warm the soul if Chelsea (the other British side left in the competition) reached the final and triumphed in Munich this May. But the sad truth is, I just can’t see it. Arsenal’s defeat isn’t a reflection on the English game as a whole, no. However, it is a small example of why British clubs are playing catch up on the European stage and could be for a while. It’s a far cry from four years ago when Chelsea and Man United contested the Champions League final, a far cry indeed.

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