- Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky feels they can be proud of their performance against AC Milan.
Rosicky took heart from a rousing performance in front of a noisy Emirates crowd.
"I am proud of my team-mates because what we produced today was great football, but it's sad because obviously we are out of the competition," Rosicky said. "We can go out with our heads held high but we blew it in Milan.
"We knew [that we would be making history if we came back] and that's what the boss told us in the pre-match speech. Who wouldn't want to be part of something special? So of course we were up for it and I think you could see that. So it's a shame.
"The early goal was definitely a big boost for us, when you score so early it gives you a boost. Even if we hadn't scored so early we would have kept coming because you have to do that, you have to keep pounding the rock. An early goal makes you think it's possible so it was vital."
- Ref Damir Skomina has hit back at Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after their bust-up during victory over AC Milan.
Wenger was hit by a UEFA charge after clashing with Skomina during the game.
Skomina said: "Wenger's complaints say a lot about him. We had to be careful not to make any mistakes with the result that someone might say his team was knocked out because of us."
Wenger was furious with the number of free-kicks awarded to the Italians as his side battled to a 3-0 win but crashed out 4-3 on aggregate.
Skomina added: "It was a very important game.
"In our preparations, we considered a lot of different game scenarios and one was exactly as it happened in the first half — that Arsenal would go for it 'all or nothing' by putting maximum pressure on Milan's players and trying to disrupt their game. It almost worked."
- Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky had praised his teammates for their courageous performance in last night’s Champions League Round of 16 second leg.
The Gunners fell a goal short of taking AC Milan to extra-time at the Emirates Stadium with a 3-0 victory on the night to be eliminated 4-3 on aggregate after the first leg at the San Siro.
Despite exiting the competition, Rosicky was proud of the showing in front of home fans.
"I am proud of my team-mates because what we produced today was great football, but it's sad because obviously we are out of the competition," Rosicky said.
"We can go out with our heads held high but we blew it in Milan.
"We knew [that we would be making history if we came back] and that's what the boss told us in the pre-match speech. Who wouldn't want to be part of something special? So of course we were up for it and I think you could see that. So it's a shame.
"The early goal was definitely a big boost for us, when you score so early it gives you a boost.
"Even if we hadn't scored so early we would have kept coming because you have to do that, you have to keep pounding the rock. An early goal makes you think it's possible so it was vital."
- Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen suggests the club will produce a top-four finish this season if they continue with their current form.
Recently the Gunners have come from behind to beat Tottenham 5-1 and Liverpool 2-1 before getting the better of AC Milan 3-0 last night.
Even though the second leg result was not enough to get Arsenal through to the Champions League quarter-finals, Vermaelen is confident these sorts of performances in the Premier League will sew up a spot in Europe’s premier club competition next season.
"If we can play like (we did last night), there is no way that we will not be in the top four," he said.
"That performance will give us a boost now.
"We are out of the Champions League but we need to take the great feeling out of this game.
"It's really important that we qualify for the Champions League.
"I think Arsenal are a team that belongs in the Champions League.
"We have the quality to do it, that showed in the second leg."
- Arsenal convinced they have a deal in place for FC Cologne star Lukas Podolski.
Podolski will become an Arsenal player at the end of the season after Cologne accepted a £10.9m bid for the Polish-born player.
An initial £18m asking price was dismissed by Arsenal, who began the bidding at around £8m. But with Podolski underlining his eagerness to join the Gunners by settling on personal terms, Arsenal came back with an improved offer that was accepted.
The striker’s four-year deal is worth over £100,000 a week
- FC Koln striker Lukas Podolski has made it clear that money is not a motivating factor for where he continues his football career.
The Germany international is being heavily linked with a summer move to Arsenal but has reportedly also been offered big money from Russian clubs Lokomotiv Moscow and Anzhi Makhachkala.
However, Podolski says playing for cash is not his number one priority as he gets nearer to departing Cologne at the end of the season.
"Money is not the most important thing for me,” the 26-year old said. “What is crucial is the development of my game."
- Tomas Rosicky has played his way to a new contract at Arsenal.
Arsenal are also ready to reward rejuvenated Rosicky with a new 12-month contract.
The Czech Republic midfielder has won great praise from manager Arsene Wenger and captain Robin van Persie for his influence on their form turnaround in recent weeks.
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