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00:01But the big story here for the first leg of the Super Cup is that Paul Merson is available to play.
00:06After three months out of the game, several weeks in a drug rehabilitation centre, the FA this morning said he could play.
00:13Trevor Harris now reports on the return of Arsenal's prodigal son.
00:18The scourge of drugs, alcohol and gambling that reduced an England international to tears.
00:25But since kicking his drink and cocaine habits, Merson has shown a new appetite for the game.
00:31He's lost a stone in weight and said recently that his return would be like Arsenal making a new signing.
00:37As if there won't be enough emotion at Highbury tonight, opponents Milan got their first taste of the stadium yesterday, still recovering from an even bigger trauma.
00:47The riot that forced the abandonment of their game in Genoa on Sunday.
00:51It stemmed from the fatal stabbing of a young Genoa fan.
00:55And although 800 Milan supporters are expected at Arsenal tonight, police say they've taken all appropriate precautions.
01:03On the field, Milan are proven performers, despite a mediocre league season by their standards.
01:09Though their 4-0 destruction of boss George Graham, who continues to be beset by bung allegations, knows his side have palpably failed to reproduce the form that swept them to European glory last May.
01:22But as everyone in the game is acutely aware, the Gunners often produce their best when their backs are to the wall.
01:30Trevor Harris for London Tonight.
01:31Well, we're still waiting for the team news, but it looks as if Merson will figure in some shape or form, even if he doesn't start.
01:39Joining me now is Neil Silver, football writer for the Sunday Mirror.
01:42Neil, what sort of reception do you think he'll get if and when he comes on the pitch?
01:44I think there's no doubt the loudest cheer of the night will be reserved for Paul the moment he steps onto the pitch tonight.
01:50And George Graham will be delighted to see him, of course.
01:51Of course, George has had a tough time both on and off the pitch, and a fit Paul Merson is the perfect tonic.
01:57What sort of shape do you think he'll be in?
02:00Paul's been putting in extra training, he's lost some weight, he's toughened himself up, he's fit and raring to go.
02:05And obviously, with his dynamism, it could be just the vital tonic that Arsenal need.
02:09Yes, and also the perfect stage, AC Milan, who could ask for a better opposition than Paul to show his stuff tonight.
02:16OK, well, Neil, thanks very much indeed. We shall see.
02:18But there's another big football headline tonight. Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear and his captain have been charged with bringing the game into disrepute
02:25and with ungentlemanly behaviour by the FA. That follows their defeat at Newcastle last week.
02:31And if you're planning to go down to Loftus Road tonight for the premiership clash between QBR and Chelsea, don't,
02:36because it's been called off because of a waterlogged pitch.
02:39Now then, if things have turned out differently, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Londoner Ronnie O'Sullivan,
02:44could well have been playing football just down the road from here at White Hart Lane.
02:47Ronnie was a trialist at Spurs, but he turned his back on the game when he was just 16.
02:52Since then, of course, he's become one of Snooker's top stars.
02:55But as Matthew Lorenzo reports, he feels he's still yet to come up to scratch.
03:00That's it from Ronnie. That's it from Highbury for the time being.
03:03But don't forget, you can see highlights of tonight's game.
03:05Arsenal v AC Milan tonight on Carlton Sport at 10.40.
03:09Back to you.
03:11Nick, thank you.
03:12Indeed so. Now, Alex Hill has our...
03:14Their Italian league game was abandoned after a rival supporter was stabbed to death.
03:19Have they joined us as a game at it?
03:21Definitely he believes that in the psychological balance of each player something has been broken.
03:26Because in the last weeks, in the last practices and games before that event, the team was doing very well.
03:32Arsenal manager George Graham says he believes that continued success in the European Cup Winners' Cup is more important than tonight's match.
03:39But in view of recent results and the Paul Merson affair, a win, he says, can only do good for the club.
03:46I should also tell you that tonight's Premiership match between QPR and Chelsea has been called off because of a waterlogged pitch.
03:51Well, staying with football and Wimbledon's Vinnie Jones and manager Joe Kinnear have been charged by the Football Association with...
03:57Tonight on Carlton Sport, the European Super Cup.
04:08Can Arsenal rekindle the fire that saw them lift the Cup Winners' Cup?
04:11The Gunners' opponents, mighty AC Milan, quite brilliant as they destroyed Barcelona to become champions of Europe.
04:31Hello, good evening from Highbury, where the winners of the two major European competitions last season, Arsenal and AC Milan, come face to face.
04:46But at a time when both clubs are having trouble seasons.
04:50Reporting, Gabriel Clarke.
04:541-0 to the Arsenal rang out around Europe last May.
04:58Alan Smith stunned Palmer, and the Gunners got their hands on the Cup Winners' Cup.
05:03But nothing on that wonderful, wonderful night in Copenhagen could have prepared George Graham for the season to follow.
05:10For a man who sets his standards so high, it's been one big headache.
05:14Damaged by a dip in league form, then a double cup exit last month, and soured by scandal.
05:24Yet AC Milan were a club in crisis last weekend.
05:29Rioting surrounded their match in Genoa after the stabbing of a home supporter.
05:34And all this after the European Cup holders spent the first half of the season struggling to even qualify for the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
05:42Take her again for the land.
05:43Over-ars with a cross.
05:46And a goal!
05:47Lippon has made it too!
05:49But the new year has brought with it more of the old form.
05:53Dejan Cevichovic, outstanding in the European Cup final, has started to dazzle again.
05:58And Milan's reputation could do with more of the same tonight.
06:01When Highbury is also the first step on the long road back for Arsenal's prodigal son.
06:07Three months after some said he was finished.
06:10Paul Merson spent Christmas coming to terms with alcoholism.
06:17Tonight, he's been given the all-clear to make an emotional return.
06:21Well, I can tell you that Paul Merson begins his comeback on the substitutes bench.
06:27But he's expected to make an appearance during the 90 minutes.
06:31One way and another, unhappy times for Arsenal and AC Milan.
06:34So plenty of incentive for both teams as they come out here for the first leg of the European Super Cup.
06:40Let's join our commentary team of David Pleat and first, Brian Moore.
06:46Well, for Paul Merson, it's a big night.
06:48He's back in full view of a full house at Highbury.
06:51He says he's a new man.
06:52He says he's fitter than ever.
06:54He's lost almost a stone.
06:55He's raring to go.
06:56But tonight, he's on the sub-bench.
06:59But it'll be his first taste of action in 19 matches, stretching back to October.
07:05Well, back into the Arsenal side for the first start since late November.
07:08His skipper, Tony Adams.
07:10Stability and inspiration in the Arsenal defence.
07:14A surprising midfield is the return of Ian Selley.
07:17George Graham seems to reserve him for the big European occasions.
07:20And in attack, the first European game for 19-year-old John Hartson.
07:25Two goals in three games since his arrival from Luta.
07:29Milan have just about their strongest side.
07:32There is a change at right-back where Tosotti comes in for Panucci.
07:35That's hardly a weakening of the side, though.
07:37Tosotti, after all, a World Cup player.
07:39And all the now familiar names,
07:41Arezi and Moldini,
07:43Albertini and Costa-Curta,
07:45Desai in the midfield,
07:47the brilliant Savicevic,
07:48and Massaro in attack.
07:51And Franco Barresi,
07:53the rock on which so many Milan trials have been built in the last decade.
07:57Now 34,
07:59and the thought is that this could be his last season.
08:01And there are five subs for both sides.
08:05And on the Arsenal bench,
08:07along with Paul Mersen,
08:08Martin Kearn,
08:09David Hillier,
08:10Eddie McGoldrick,
08:11and goalkeeper Vince Bartschom.
08:14The referee tonight is Mario van der Ender of Holland,
08:18supported by two Dutch linesmen.
08:20And a moment's pause before the start
08:26in memory of the Italian football fan
08:27who died in that stabbing incident
08:29in last Sunday's match between Genoa and Milan.
08:32All sport in Italy, of course,
08:33has been called off this weekend.
08:34That gentle clapping by Milan fans,
08:37that's a sign of their respect.
08:38So there we go in this supercut first leg.
09:03Milan and their famous red and black stripes
09:07take the goal to our left.
09:09Some of Arsenal's best performances, of course,
09:12in recent years have been reserved
09:14for major European games.
09:17Now in the midst of a pretty gloomy season for them,
09:19they'll be hoping for something here tonight.
09:22Here's Wright,
09:23losing out to Tassotti.
09:25Ball played in again to Cevicevic.
09:30Back to Maldini.
09:32Superb left-back.
09:33You see some surging runs from him,
09:35no doubt.
09:38Milan who say in the last few weeks
09:42they've really been approaching
09:44their very best form.
09:46John Jenson down injured for Arsenal
09:48in the meantime.
09:49Desai,
09:50and Saro playing it in.
09:52Bold,
09:53just nicking it forward now for Campbell.
09:55And at last,
09:55I think some of the referee
09:56it was at last seen Jenson.
10:00And Campbell played it into touch.
10:02Took a bang on the head there.
10:04I didn't see how that happened.
10:07David Cleats?
10:08No,
10:09he got a whack.
10:11He fell straight away
10:13as Milan were building up
10:15down this left-hand side
10:16when Maldini went forward.
10:19But the one thing you notice
10:20in the first few seconds,
10:21the way Milan pressed
10:22as soon as Arsenal got the ball
10:24in their defence,
10:25they really spurted out quickly
10:26as a group
10:27to try and win the ball back early.
10:28I don't think they're going to be
10:30dropping off tonight
10:31and sitting back.
10:33Harry Lewins had a look at Jenson
10:35who's now going to go on.
10:37Maldini
10:37has the throw just beneath us now
10:40for Milan.
10:42And I presume they'll throw the ball
10:43back to Arsenal
10:44in a sporting gesture.
10:46And Lee Dixon gets it back
10:48to David Seaman.
10:54Hartson nodding it on
10:55towards right.
10:57Nice understanding.
10:58And Arsenal get a corner.
11:0520 goals this season.
11:07Ian Wright.
11:09But soon to face
11:10a four-match ban.
11:17Ian Selley.
11:19Mid-fielder.
11:21Another Arsenal youngster
11:22with the corner.
11:24And they're having trouble
11:25getting it away.
11:26Campbell almost got a shot
11:27on that time
11:28and maybe should have done
11:29better than he did.
11:30Wright being pursued out here
11:31by Milan defenders.
11:33Just for a moment.
11:34Milan
11:34surprisingly amount of space
11:36and time.
11:37They gave Campbell
11:38inside and deep inside
11:39their own penalty area.
11:42Lee Dixon with the throw.
11:46Thought very quickly, David.
11:47They might have made a bit more of that.
11:48Yeah, the corner was well delivered
11:50by Ian Selley.
11:51And of course,
11:51it's going to be a danger
11:52on set pieces
11:53with Adams and Bold
11:54and John Hartson.
11:56They're all very strong in the air.
11:57Well, certainly anything in the air
12:01you'd expect the Milan goalkeeper
12:03to get.
12:04Sebastia Ono Rossi
12:05very nearly six foot six.
12:10Desai.
12:11Maldini.
12:14Campbell versus Maldini.
12:15Maldini.
12:28Jensen.
12:30Back to Bold.
12:32Straight to Donadoni.
12:33There was a flag up on this side
12:35but the referee quite rightly
12:36playing on.
12:37This is Simone.
12:38Maldini.
12:39Well stopped by Adams.
12:41Timed his challenge well.
12:42Scoops a nice pull forward here
12:44for John Hartson
12:45who actually rounds
12:46Beresi.
12:48Finds Wright with it.
12:49Finds Campbell with it.
12:51Here's Jensen.
12:53Hartson's busy.
12:55Winterbone's gone away
12:56down the left-hand side.
12:57Schwartz
12:58finding Dixon.
13:00Bit of space here now
13:00for Wright popping up
13:01on this side.
13:03Maldini going with him.
13:05And Wright
13:06gets across him
13:07but it's gone behind.
13:08just flicked away
13:16by a Milan defender.
13:17It's another corner
13:18for Arsenal
13:19which again
13:19Stefan Schwartz
13:20will take
13:21but
13:21some really good
13:23build-up there
13:24by Arsenal.
13:27Schwartz
13:28with the
13:28corner.
13:37Well Hartson
13:37was there
13:38but he went behind
13:43for the goalkeeper.
13:44They've really got to
13:45keep the ball away
13:46from the massive goalkeeper.
13:47He is one of the
13:48tallest goalkeepers
13:48I've ever seen
13:49in first-class football.
13:51Yes, Sebastiano Rossi
13:5986 foot 6
14:0030 years old.
14:02Costa Kerr hitting it long.
14:11Massaro
14:12might come here for Simone
14:14playing down this left flank
14:16of course.
14:16Simone's shot.
14:18Oh, my goodness
14:18that had a bit of curl on it.
14:22I got the impression
14:23that Seaman thought
14:23yeah, that's going well wide
14:24and suddenly there was
14:25a little jutter in his body
14:26which suggested
14:27that he felt
14:27that it was going to be
14:28a little closer
14:29than he originally thought.
14:31There was a splendid run
14:32there as well
14:33by Donodini
14:33round the back of Dixon
14:34which really
14:36baffled Dixon
14:36and enabled Simone
14:38to cut inside
14:39and rifle that
14:39marvellous effort.
14:40Sevicevic
14:45being chased
14:46by Bold
14:46having a terrific season
14:53in Sevicevic
14:54but the Arsenal defence
14:55got the better in there
14:56and Jensen
14:57threading the ball
14:58through to Campbell
14:59lets it go through
14:59to Dixon
15:00that's a good break
15:01here by Arsenal
15:02terrific play by them
15:03and the cross coming in
15:04and Barresi it was
15:07who just touched it away
15:08but some brilliant move
15:09down the right
15:10and here
15:10are Milan responding
15:12now with Simone
15:13Donadoni now
15:14Massaro is there
15:15and a good challenge
15:16by Tony Adams
15:17great little sequence
15:21that
15:21first Arsenal
15:22on the attack
15:22with great invention
15:24and then a super thrust
15:25and an excellent challenge
15:27from Tony Adams
15:28that halted Milan
15:30absolutely vital
15:31absolutely vital
15:32because they were less
15:33short at the back there
15:34Dixon quite rightly
15:38doing a tugging job
15:40on the back of Simone's shirt
15:42so Simone with the
15:47free kick
15:49for Milan
15:50the Sighs in there
15:51Massaro's in there
15:53Sevicevic
15:53Maldini's come up
15:54from the back
15:55Albertini also
15:57there's the free kick
16:00goodness
16:02Sevicevic
16:03with a little double
16:04shuffle at the far post
16:06very nearly made it count
16:10well I think Schwartz
16:12was sleeping in there
16:13as that ball comes across
16:14there was good movement
16:15towards the box
16:16across the box
16:17and he stole in
16:19at the back there
16:19behind Schwartz
16:20and took him by surprise
16:22and a little bit of calm
16:23and it might have been
16:24the first goal
16:25here's Nigel Winterburn
16:48with the free kick
16:49Hartson
16:56back towards Sally
16:59didn't want there
17:01oh it was a nasty bounce
17:02there just ahead of Rossi
17:04Hartson just knocking it
17:09back
17:09deflected as well
17:13which didn't help
17:1410 minutes to the first
17:38half left
17:38challenge there
17:49the game's about after all
17:51but the referee decided
17:52oh that's a good play
17:53nice play by Wright
17:54for Sally
17:55and a good cross
17:56coming in
17:56just too high
17:57for Hartson
17:57there was some
18:02really slick play
18:03there
18:03an excellent pass
18:04by Wright
18:04and it was good play
18:05by Dixon
18:06he got on with that
18:06he got a free kick
18:07against Campbell
18:08and Dixon quickly
18:09took the ball
18:09and got on with the game
18:10whereas Campbell
18:11really wasn't aware
18:13and ready for it
18:14but fortunately Wright
18:15was
18:15a good move
18:16Dixon looks alert
18:19tonight
18:19Maldini
18:32Maldini
18:48Donadoni
18:51Maldini
18:55Massaro, Cervicevic
19:02Desailles
19:08and Perezzi again
19:10Desailles
19:14slipped a nice ball there for Tassotti
19:16in turn now for Donadoni
19:19cut back again towards Massaro
19:21cut out well though by the Arsenal defence
19:23oh and Bould has shown a bit too much of that to Tassotti
19:27Albertini
19:30stopped by Jensen
19:35plays it down the line for Wright
19:38Wright doing well here
19:39Hartson's on as well
19:41Campbell's coming up fast as well
19:43but Wright may not need them
19:44oh a terrific bit of play by Ian Wright
19:48punched away there by Rossi
19:51and finally cleared by Malvini
19:53well that was a run of some 70 yards there by Ian Wright
19:57terrific bit of play
19:58a wonderful finish
20:00which Rossi had to punch away
20:03meantime
20:04Smerini at the other end
20:06onto the right foot
20:08they've got to hold him up
20:09in the end they do
20:11Dixon bringing it away
20:13the Arsenal fans roaring him on now
20:15Campbell
20:22Dixon
20:24way for Selly
20:27now for Hartson
20:29and he's beaten Malvini
20:31tried to thread the ball through
20:34and in the end
20:35Tassotti put it behind
20:36Rossi was
20:38crawling out of his goal
20:40and didn't make a contact
20:41and Arsenal get another corner
20:50voted in
21:01not once
21:02it was Adams who got that
21:04nearest touch
21:05Rossi who made the save
21:08well I think that Wright's inspirational run
21:12has spurred everyone to life
21:14because it really was a marvellous run
21:16that was a good pick up by Gali there
21:18it wasn't easy
21:19by Rossi
21:20but Wright's determination
21:22to win that ball
21:23race 70 yards
21:24and then hit that stunning shot
21:26really inspired
21:27two or three minutes
21:29a really fine play
21:30that was deflected
21:48don't know whether Simoni will get to it
21:50he has indeed
21:51across there
21:52Massaro quickly came in
21:54Bold in fact didn't get a touch on in the end
21:56and it fell for safety
21:57for Arsenal in the end
21:58towards Winterbourne
21:59cool play by Boulder
22:02as that ball clashed across
22:04I think that's a big difference
22:06with Arsenal tonight
22:07they're far more confident
22:08in the back
22:08with the presence of Tony Adams
22:10and they pass the ball out
22:12from the back more
22:12when he's in there
22:14Dixon
22:20Jensen
22:22Schwarz
22:25still 0-0
22:33but Arsenal are just about shading it
22:36on points
22:36I would have thought at the moment
22:37David
22:37yes I think they're having
22:39the bulk of the possession
22:40of course
22:40you can't ignore the breaks
22:43of Milan
22:44but so far
22:44Savicevic
22:45hasn't been able to put the passes
22:47when he's had the chance to make
22:49important passes
22:50he hasn't
22:51he hasn't been able to produce
22:53and we've had Simoni
22:55a couple of times
22:55coming in from the left-handed side
22:57threatening
22:57but generally speaking
22:59the Arsenal back four
23:00have been very firm
23:01Jensen continuing the free kick
23:04and just for a moment
23:04it looked as though
23:05the referee was going to pull
23:06a card out
23:07he changed his mind
23:08Maldini
23:11Selly with the header
23:13Campbell just playing it back
23:14here's Jensen
23:15trying to get right away
23:21just looking for for him
23:23Winterman's coming in
23:24that's a free kick
23:25could be an interesting situation
23:30in the yard or so
23:31outside the box
23:32terrific run by Winterburn
23:36as that ball was in the air
23:37after it was delivered
23:38and Wright lost control
23:39Winterburn was coming up
23:41like a train behind him
23:42really good support play
23:43that's what's impressed me
23:44in the first half
23:45the forward play
23:46of the two fullbacks
23:47supporting
23:48well Wright, Selly
23:51and Schwarz
23:51are behind this
23:52it looks as though
23:53number seven
23:54Jensen
23:54is orchestrating it
23:55and then I've got everybody
23:59back inside
24:00to their own penalty area
24:01it's quite a formidable wall
24:05and big Rossi behind it
24:07it's going to be
24:08Stefan Schwarz
24:09driven straight at the goalkeeper
24:11fisted it away
24:13and Mazzaro put it away
24:15there's a yellow card
24:16being brandished there
24:17I think they're going to
24:19make them take the kick again
24:20because somebody
24:21sprang out from the wall
24:23now who that was
24:24that was given the yellow card
24:26there
24:26you can only check at half time
24:28he flew straight away
24:30I think for encroachment
24:31but that doesn't mean to say
24:32that Rossi didn't
24:34parry that shot
24:35terrifically well
24:36and Schwarz
24:36hit it
24:37magnificently
24:38but will they do the same again
24:40in a moment we shall know
24:42defected off the wall
24:48and a point for Oslo
24:50so sponsor tickets
25:03Campbell and Bowles
25:12they're softly between them
25:14Schwarz
25:16broken it in
25:17and Rossi had it
25:18lost it
25:19knocked it up again
25:20I bet he's quite good at basketball
25:23Brian you know
25:23he's only got the good for it
25:25hasn't he
25:25it's not
25:27a year
25:28I'm
25:30I'm
25:31I'm
25:34not
25:35so
25:35half time whistle
25:36good action from both sides
25:38Arsenal probably had
25:40slightly the better of it
25:41territory
25:42but that famous
25:43Milan defence
25:44helped
25:45Milan also
25:46really threatening
25:48on one or two breaks
25:48and a lot of
25:49very schoolful football
25:50in their first 40 minutes
25:51but it's Arsenal nil, AC Milan nil.
26:05Well, the man Milan player to get the yellow card
26:08just before half-time was the number nine, Marco Simoni.
26:11He was already on a yellow card,
26:13so he certainly misses the second leg of this Super Cup
26:16in Milan against Arsenal next Wednesday night.
26:19Maraisi with a clearance.
26:23No substitutes on for the start of his second half,
26:26but it strongly felt that at some point in this second half,
26:30Paul Merson will come on for Arsenal.
26:33Dixon with the throw for the Gunners.
26:43Desai, Cevichevic getting it away,
26:46Jensen trying to keep it going.
26:47It was Costa-Curta who eventually made the clearance.
26:52Now Simoni.
26:56Massaro beaten by Winterburn.
27:01Plays it down the line for right.
27:03Just a little too firmly, and Costa-Curta gets it back
27:05to Rossi.
27:09Ball out of play, it'll be an Arsenal throw.
27:11John Hartson, a little touch there for Stefan Schwartz.
27:28Winterburn playing it in towards Kevin Campbell.
27:31Barreze is there.
27:33Couldn't be shrugged off that ball.
27:34Dixon, terrific shots.
27:37Just skimming that Milan crossbar.
27:40Not scored this season.
27:43But he had them worried there just for a moment.
27:45He ran onto that.
27:46It fell for him beautifully.
27:49As you can see, it didn't leave an awful lot to spare.
27:52David Cleet.
27:54Well, once again, good support play.
27:56Very quick to spot the ball breaking out
27:59and to support his forward players.
28:01And also Winterburn also started this half very well.
28:04Looks sharp as a tack in a left-back position.
28:06Arsenal could well have benefited, actually,
28:08from the break last weekend.
28:09And just then on the right of the picture at the back,
28:15Paul Merson.
28:22Adams.
28:23He had to hurry that.
28:26He didn't realise until the last moment
28:27that Simone was almost on to him.
28:30Here's Donadoni.
28:34Lifting that towards Simone.
28:35And enough time for Seaman to get back.
28:43That was a clever final ball there.
28:54Meanwhile, at the other end,
28:55John Hartson tangling with Maldini.
29:00I don't know if John is a quick learner,
29:02but he'll learn a lot from Maldini and Barrezi tonight.
29:05Dixon with the cross.
29:15And it was Selly who went flying in with the header.
29:23And a goal kick from the line.
29:25Ian Wright's moving around.
29:26Well, there we see the cross coming in.
29:28A little bit unlucky, Selly.
29:29Won't get in the box too much in general play.
29:36Selly.
29:38Selly Javic.
29:39Here's Sharks.
29:47He's done well there.
29:49Founding bold.
29:50Winterburn's gone on a run down the left.
29:52Of course, Tassotti out wide as well to mark him.
29:55instead they then sneak in down the right with Lee Dixon
29:58Sally Riley controlled that well
30:03Dixon playing it in again not so well that time
30:06and Arsenal get a throw
30:08but a lot of their approach play has been really bright here tonight
30:13waiting for Adams
30:15to come forward and they've used both these fullbacks
30:20Dixon here and Winterburn so well
30:22little flick on
30:24Hartson battling away
30:27played for Sally oh he missed Q there
30:30Winterburn
30:33Jenson
30:35and they all left it for each other
30:40Milan said thank you and they get the ball forward to Simone
30:42now and Donadoni
30:44once more good pressure by Arsenal
30:51I think their best chance of success is to get it wide early
30:53and get one or two balls in round the back of the Milan defence
30:57Massaro
31:00Savicevic
31:02shakes off Jensen's challenge
31:05Massaro's there
31:06the flag has stayed down
31:07Simone's in there too
31:09and he's missed a glorious chance
31:11well he's been six times on the target in the Syria I he's got two in Europe
31:21and he had a beautiful chance made for him here by Savicevic
31:26well it was Massaro who beat the offside trap in the first place cleverly holding his run
31:32and I have to say that Simone if he could have taken that ball on he could have rolled it back to the supporting Massaro
31:37and he may have placed it in the net but that was the best opportunity there the game a golden chance gone out the window
31:43and here's Massaro again
31:45well he's scored vital goals he got them in the European final against Barcelona last season and he scored of course
31:57the very important one against Salzburg in the Champions League this season
32:01when Milan were really struggling in that league
32:04the victory in Salzburg
32:06putting him into the quarterfinal round
32:08Desai
32:14well controlled there by Massaro
32:17fouled by Wright
32:19free kick given
32:20Wright very apologetic
32:23Albertini
32:33who has a terrific strike on him
32:37as you can see
32:47but a very good gather indeed by David Seaman
32:52got a lovely view of the ball didn't he as well
32:58Arsenal only having the two men in the wall
33:00Seaman just plucked it
33:01just over 38,000
33:08here at Highbury tonight
33:13far from a full house
33:15just into a few hundred
33:17that's the Edson
33:20Hartson going for this one
33:24just for a moment
33:25Beresi
33:26quite know where he was
33:29I think that was Beresi
33:33thinking that Hartson was going to make a challenge on him
33:36and it's that physical strength and power sometimes
33:38that does panic defenders
33:39so right at the far post
33:42waiting for this corner
33:43from Steffen Schwartz
33:44Adams is in there
33:46would be a threat
33:47Bold is peeling away from that near post
33:50here comes the corner
33:51floated in
33:52and
33:53well Adams I think
33:54got ahead to it
33:56again some
33:57a real up and under there
33:59and Adams has stayed up
34:00tries to find right with it
34:01but again there are so many red and black shirts around
34:04once again it was a cross ball into the box that caused the problem
34:19oh Beresi caught out badly there by Campbell
34:22Wright now going on
34:23there's his shot
34:24just over
34:25well an error by Beresi
34:27and normally you can count those on the fingers of one hand in the course of a season
34:32but that was a bad mistake
34:33he was badly caught there by Campbell
34:35Wright took it up
34:37and
34:40a corner results
34:42that Kianselli will take
34:46again Milan have pulled
34:50every single player back into their penalty area
34:53Adams got there
34:56and it's another corner
35:00Bold and Adams
35:05Hartson
35:06three six footers there
35:08Campbell another one
35:11and the Arsenal fan
35:13behind that goal
35:15cheering now for
35:18what they hope is going to be
35:19a decisive breakthrough
35:21Selle's corner
35:25and
35:29quite simple catch that time by
35:32Sebastiano Rossi
35:33Mercer warming up
35:38but Selle and all the other Arsenal subs
35:40Adams
35:50Albertini
35:56Albertini
35:57Albertini and Desai really haven't played with too much ambition in the middle of the field
36:03they've sat and defended
36:05you can see how Milan play so solidly
36:07they've played with a zonal defence all night
36:10Beresi being the cover and centre-back
36:12but Desai has played very deep
36:14and Albertini really hasn't surged forwards too much from that central position
36:18they're the two of them
36:19played a very safe game
36:22they made sure
36:23they've kept this game tight
36:25got to remember the second leg
36:27to come
36:27Adams gets it back
36:34I think it's a mark of how seriously the two managers
36:42treat the competition that they haven't used substitutes willy-nilly in this second period
36:49but I think this man coming on now is someone whom we all expected to be joining
36:57proud of grab to greet him Paul Merson
36:59George Graham phone the FA this morning to get clearance for him to play here tonight
37:04there's Campbell going off and it's Merson who's on
37:06hasn't played since early November he's missed 19 games
37:12he says he feels a new man
37:27and I'm sure I'm speaking on behalf of everybody really
37:31there's a young man here who is really facing a big battle in his life and you can only wish him well
37:37there's a terrific grass move if he could just cap the night now with the goal for them
37:52but it's Adams at the other end getting it back to Seaman
37:55oooh that was a kick that could so easily have gone to Savicevic
37:58can smile now
38:00miss out
38:05merson couldn't quite get to that
38:18shots
38:22right
38:27merson again
38:56merson again
38:59finding Jensen
39:02in turn finds Winterburn
39:04Jensen again
39:05merson wants some more of it and gets it
39:07and then given away by Jensen
39:12and Savicevic with support by Simone
39:16Savicevic onto the left foot possibly no Simone is in there
39:20there's a shot
39:22a super save
39:23by David Seaman
39:24he caught that really well Savicevic
39:28Simone
39:30just knocking it back to him under a lot of pressure
39:33and a flying effort there
39:35well saved by David Seaman
39:37got away from Desai
39:47oh and he's hit a lovely ball here for Winterburn
39:53right
39:54Jensen
39:56here's Dixon
39:57here's Dixon
40:00there's his cross
40:01difficult for Nolanda to cut that out
40:05but here's Merson again
40:06again spreading it wide for Dixon
40:09played inside for John Jensen
40:10oh
40:16he got that away well
40:18it was Donadoni but I think he's injured in the
40:20course of it
40:21linesman helps him up
40:22in the meantime Savicevic
40:24oh great tackle by Tony Adams
40:28Savicevic must have wondered where that foot came from
40:32he was lining up a shot at that point
40:34and now perhaps Ian Wright can do the same
40:36although he's got Albertini to continue with
40:39and for Rezi
40:40puts it over his own crossbar
40:44well I think Harmsson was inches away from the winner there
40:47splendid play by Wright
40:49he's had an impressive evening
40:54and Winterburn too supporting on that side
40:56there's the ball
40:57wicked ball
40:58goalkeeper's nightmare
41:01Sally with the corner
41:03towards the near post
41:05Beresi solidly behind that one
41:09and Winterburn takes the throw
41:13Schwarz points to Dixon
41:15so Dixon gets the ball
41:17Jensen's gone wide on the right for him
41:19playing it in early
41:21Merson jumping with this one and winning it
41:23there touch by Hudson
41:24and a good back to right
41:25driven left foot shot
41:26cannons back off the
41:27Milan defence
41:28Tasotti
41:30Merson
41:32says he's fitter than he's been for years
41:38Jensen
41:39forward towards Ian Wright
41:53he's got Beresi there with him
41:55and now Ian Selle just dinking one in there
41:59Merson was hoping to get in but Costacurta with the header
42:01Maldini hopes to prevent it going for the corner
42:03Maldini hopes to prevent it going for the corner
42:04Maldini
42:08actually world soccer have made him their world player of the year
42:14FIFA I know have chosen Romario
42:16eminent soccer magazine says this man is the best player in the world over the last year
42:22it's amazing isn't Alan he's tied these things of course usually forwards get those accolades
42:28Merson trying to thread his way through again it was Maldini who stopped him
42:32now Beresi this is the sort of break that Arsenal must be aware of
42:39but Dixon was there
42:42Savicevic had no chance of picking that one up
42:45Merson
42:57Merson
43:02Jensen
43:03Merson again
43:12Chancellor substitutes to come on
43:14Chancellor substitutes
43:16taking off John Jensen
43:18and David Hillier comes on so it's a straight stop
43:23it's a pretty midfielder replacing a gritty midfielder
43:30and Beresi
43:47ball goes out of play
43:51he's going to make a substitution
43:54it's Savicevic who goes off
43:56NUMBER 10
44:00Dejan Savicevic being replaced by 60
44:04Paolo Di Canio
44:06well you saw the UFF official getting himself into right tangle
44:10there he put fifteen up in fact as you can see
44:12it's number sixteen Paolo Di Canio
44:14who's uh on for Milan
44:16Donadoni
44:27Di Canio
44:32Winterburn is certainly not going to let Simone get away
44:38substitute coming back there
44:39and then robbing Winterburn
44:41there might be a gap down this flank now
44:43for Massaro to exploit
44:45Simony
44:47Steepold holding him up as best he can
44:51Massaro again
44:54did it straight at Selly
44:56in comes Winterburn
44:58Selly again, now Schwarz
44:59fitting it up to Hartson
45:02thought he played the ball to the referee
45:06he was going to play it himself
45:07but instead the referee blows the final whistle
45:09and the first leg of this European Super Cup is over
45:12finishing again as in the first half
45:16with a lot of skillful football overall
45:18Paul Merson making his comeback for Arsenal
45:21but not on the winning side
45:23but certainly leaving the tie plenty to play for
45:27in the second leg in the San Siro Stadium in Milan next Wednesday night
45:32it's good to see Merson back
45:33and it was good to see Milan and Arsenal
45:36putting on a performance
45:37even though there were no goals here tonight
45:39so the final score in this
45:42first leg of the European Super Cup
45:45it's Arsenal nil
45:47George I guess you always expected it to be tight didn't you
45:54yeah I mean the important thing tonight really was for us to get something out of the game
45:58playing against one of the best sides I think not only in Europe
46:02I think in the world over the past decade
46:03international players
46:06and we had to get something out of the game
46:07and I thought we did
46:08I thought we'd get nice and tight again
46:09we played as a unit
46:10getting some of my players back again
46:13and it was a good performance
46:140-0 second leg in the San Siro
46:16fairly formidable task
46:18not really
46:19we always play well away in Europe
46:21and last year we played five games away and didn't lose one
46:24so we should go there
46:26accept it as a challenge
46:27and enjoy it
46:29were you happy to see Paul Merson return
46:31what was your thinking there
46:32giving him 15 minutes at the end
46:34yeah because obviously I want to blid him in gradually
46:36it was a very emotional night for him
46:39the fans got behind him
46:40the boys were doing well
46:42we needed a little bit of magic
46:43but he was playing against world class players
46:45and I thought 15 minutes
46:48probably 20 minutes would do before the game
46:50and that's what he got
46:51and he used the ball as we expect him to use it
46:53he's got a lot of people supporting him hasn't he?
46:56yeah
46:57he's been at the clinic
47:00he's had outstanding therapy
47:02I think he's come through it very well
47:04everybody's pleased with him
47:05the medical staff are pleased with him
47:06we're getting him fit now
47:08and we need him back as quick as possible
47:09you seem to be coming through
47:11your own personal criticism quite well
47:12well it's part of the job isn't it
47:15I mean
47:15my upbringing always taught me to
47:18you know
47:18take the bad times and the good times
47:19and we handled the good times here at Arsenal
47:22with a bit of dignity
47:23and we can also handle the criticism
47:24thank you so much for asking
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