Two for the road

Arsenal were on top for most of the game at a slippery San Siro but were too intricate in their play until Fabregas rifled in on 84 minutes and Adebayor slid home in stoppage time.

“We dominated the game and didn’t make any mistakes and we were creative and not scared to go forward,” a smiling Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said in a television interview afterwards.

Milan, who had Kaka back from injury, threatened occasionally but continue to look a shadow of last season’s side.

Coming into the game, they were unbeaten against English clubs in 12 home matches, but Arsenal shattered the record with a mature performance.

The first half, which started in driving rain, was lively with both sides having good chances. Fabregas came closest when he rattled the bar after Adebayor’s layoff while Alexandre Pato should have done better for Milan following great work from Kaka.

The Brazilian playmaker showed some bursts of pace but overall Milan looked like a side struggling in fifth in Serie A.

Arsenal continued where they left off after the break with Philippe Senderos testing Milan keeper Zeljko Kalac and Emmanuel Eboue blasting wide.

It looked like the tie was heading for extra-time until Fabregas shot into the corner from 25 metres and Adebayor turned in Theo Walcott’s cross.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Fabregas said. “To beat Milan in Milan 2-0. But before the game you could tell the boys wanted to win.”