Cesc Fabregas scored late in the game, inspiring Arsenal to beat holders Milan 2-0 at the San Siro on Tuesday and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League The Spaniard technically put Arsenal into the last eight with a long-range bullet five minutes from time, leaving Milan needing two goals as the first-leg in London ended in a goalless draw. Emmanuel Adebayor put the icing on the cake deep into the injury time when he scored the second goal after an impressing effort from Theo Walcott. The Gunners were the better side throughout the whole tie and the late efforts meant that the North Londoners became the first side in history to beat Milan in Italy. Arsenal have previously coasted 5-1 past Inter Milan in the same competition a few years ago. The hosts started brightly and, on eight minutes, veteran skipper Paolo Maldini met Kaka's corner with a flying header forcing the Arsenal defense to clear off the line. The Gunners' defense had to stay alert again as Gallas produced a crucial clearance denying Filippo Inzaghi a clear header from Kaka's pinpoint cross. Arsenal had their first attacking threat in the 14th minute when Adebayor managed to hold off three Milan defenders before passing to Abou Diaby outside the box but the latter saw his right footed effort go wide.
Adebayor celebrates the second goal Milan had their best chance of the half four minutes later when Pato was released through by Kaka but the striker's weak chip was easily gathered by Almunia. After half an hour, Arsenal began controlling the game and Adebayor could have put them ahead but his curling shot was brilliantly tipped off the bar by Kalac's fingers. Alexander Hleb was shown a yellow card for stimulation in the 31st minute after he was caught outside the box by Alessandro Nesta. TV replays proved Hleb was fouled. Arsenal's dominance continued and ten minutes before the interval Fabregas was unlucky to see his shot hit he crossbar after beating Kalac. Emmanuel Eboue wasted a golden opportunity early in the second period after sending his effort wide from a tight angle. Both teams slowed down their tempo and in an attempt to revive their teams Carlo Ancelotti brought Alberto Gilardino for Inzaghi while Arsene Wenger introduced Theo Walcott in place of Emmanuel Eboue. Walcott had an immediate impact and in the 75th minute he was released on the right by Fabregas but his low cross was bravely blocked by Kalac. As the game seemed to be heading for extra time, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 85th minute after Fabregas stormed past the Milan midfield and fired a low shot from 25 yards beating Kalac and sending the away fans into raptures. Walcott outpaced Kaladze on the right flank before squaring for Adebayor, who put the game beyond doubt, tapping in an empty net at the far post.
