Wenger blames exit on fitness

Arsene Wenger says injuries and fatigue prevented his Arsenal team from finding a crucial fourth goal in their futile 3-0 victory over AC Milan.

The English Premier League club came into Tuesday’s Champions League round-of-16 second leg trailing 4-0 to Serie A title holders Milan.

The hosts netted three times in the first half of the match at Emirates Stadium, but proved unable to force another goal in the second period, allowing their Italian visitors to progress 4-3 on aggregate.

“We had no midfielders at all on the bench and we suffered a bit, when we got tired in the second half, to keep the ball and get them more fatigued,” Wenger said.

“We knew we had given a lot and had some players who are not used to playing at that level in midfield, like (Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain.”

“Some players had knocks and we needed to score goals and not concede against a team like that, and I felt our defenders were absolutely outstanding today.”

“Otherwise I’m sure we would have scored two or three more goals in the second half, but we put a performance in with fantastic spirit and restored some pride after the first leg.”

“We had chances throughout and we can keep our winning run going, and that is important. Unfortunately we have paid the price for the bad first game.”

“Overall, we have given everything and that’s all you can do at the top level. Give everything, and afterwards you can accept the result even if it’s a disappointing one.”

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie nearly made it 4-0 just before the hour mark, pouncing on a rebound from Gervinho’s initial strike.

Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati gathered van Persie’s lofted effort comfortably, and it proved to be one of Arsenal’s last real chances in the match.

“I think he (van Persie) wanted to chip the goalkeeper because he was down, but he got up quickly,” Wenger said.

“Abbiati did well and unfortunately we couldn’t score. I hoped that in the last 10 or 15 minutes we could create some dangerous situations in front of goal but unfortunately that didn’t happen.”

“We didn’t have enough drive anymore and because we played with too many strikers, we needed free kicks and crosses and we didn’t get them.”