AC Milan 4 Arsenal 0

THERE is no way to gloss over that one, Arsene.

This Arsenal fiasco will never be forgotten, as they said arrivederci to the Champions League.

It would be even sadder if this proves to be the last European match for boss Arsene Wenger.

His gutless flops collapsed without a fight on a night of abject humiliation.

This shambles has brought shame to the Arsenal shirt — and boss Wenger was brave enough to acknowledge it.

Time and again we have heard Wenger speak of the 'spirit', the 'character', the 'guts' and the 'talent' at the Emirates. But there was no evidence of any of that last night for the Gunners.

At least Wenger did not dare tell heartbroken fans the Londoners can still turn this around. They cannot.

Arsenal's weaknesses were laid bare in the most excruciating manner. And now the taboo question regarding the future of Wenger has reared its ugly head just when the issue is least welcome.

Make no mistake, Wenger is to blame. But so is Stan Kroenke, the invisible owner who needs to tell supporters how it has come to this.

This was no fairytale farewell for Thierry Henry. This was a nightmare end to a glorious career for the French hitman.

It could well prove pivotal for the career of the club's legendary manager, too.

A sensational opener from AC Milan's Tottenham reject Kevin-Prince Boateng and a double strike from former Manchester City misfit Robinho buried the visitors.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made both of Robinho's goals and he added a penalty late on.

The 5,000 visiting fans were the only English heroes when they started singing 'We love you Arsenal, we do' after 57 minutes with their team 3-0 down and showing no signs of revival.

Worse still, this morning Spurs fans will be gloating thanks to Boateng.

Wojciech Szczesny's horrible kick after 15 minutes fell into the path of Antonio Nocerino, who spotted the Prince's run into the box.

Boateng chested the ball down and thumped a jaw-dropping opener in off the underside of the bar.

Home boss Massimiliano Allegri wanted to ensure that Milan did not lose a goal, or the game, yet again against English opposition.

And he insisted on the eve of the match that the Italian giants, who had not beaten an English club in almost five years, did NOT have an inferiority complex.

This was certainly some way for Milan to regain some pride against the English.

Before the game Allegri had tried to muddy the waters by saying Boateng would not start as he had been injured for a month.

But Boateng did indeed start and gave Bacary Sagna one of the worst nights of his life.

After his goal, the Gunners were under incessant pressure.

Ibrahimovic almost stole in as he snatched the ball from Thomas Vermaelen and only Szczesny's heroism spared Arsenal a certain second goal as he dived at the Swede's feet and earned himself a painful foul.

Robinho then stole the ball from Vermaelen and tried to release Ibrahimovic. Mercifully, Laurent Koscielny ran back to intercept. After 38 minutes, though, the stadium erupted.

Urby Emanuelson released Ibrahimovic on the left behind Sagna and he ran 40 yards unhindered into the Arsenal box before crossing for Robinho to nod home.

Szczesny was looking accusingly at Koscielny, who was looking at Sagna. Sixes and sevens indeed.

Incredibly, Arsenal had 55 per cent possession at that stage, even if Milan were the ones getting the chances.

Things went from bad to worse for Wenger as Koscielny then limped off just before the interval and Johan Djourou came on.

When Ibrahimovic turned Djourou and released Boateng with the outside of his right foot, it seemed the match had gone from the Gunners right there. But the Milan man fired just wide.

The Italians finished the first half with nine attempts to Arsenal's two. Thierry Henry came on for the ineffective Theo Walcott after the interval. But it was Milan who extended their lead just four minutes after the restart.

Robinho latched on to Ibrahimovic's simple pass and, as Vermaelen fell over, beat Szczesny just inside his right post.

After 59 minutes, Luca Antonini wasted a sitter as he shot wide with only Szczesny to beat.On 66 minutes, Henry flicked Alex Song's pass into Robin van Persie's path and the Dutchman struck a left-foot beauty that Christian Abbiati turned round for a corner.

The Milan keeper then held on to Van Persie's close-range effort before the killer blow arrived.

With 13 minutes left, Ibrahimovic turned Djourou and was brought down by the Swiss player. Ref Viktor Kassai rightly gave the penalty.

Szczesny went the right way but could not stop the spot-kick from Ibrahimovic going in.

Abbiati next blocked Van Persie's far-post header as Arsenal desperately looked for a consolation and a glimmer of hope — in vain.

For Milan now it is a quarter-final spot.

For Arsenal a long period of recrimination has barely begun.

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

STAR MAN - ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (AC MILAN)

MILAN: Abbiati 7, Abate 7, Mexes 7, Silva 7, Antonini 7, Nocerino 7, Boateng 9, Seedorf 5, Robinho 9, Ibrahimovic 9. Subs: Emanuelson (Seedorf 12) 6, Ambrosini (Boateng 69) 5, Pato (Robinho 84) 5. Not used: Amelia, Nesta, Bonera, El Shaarawy. Booked: Antonini, Mexes, Ambrosini.

ARSENAL: Szczesny 4, Sagna 3, Vermaelen 4, Koscielny 4, Gibbs 4, Walcott 4, Ramsey 5, Song 5, Arteta 5, Rosicky 5, Van Persie 6. Subs: Djourou (Koscielny 44) 3, Henry (Walcott 46) 6, Oxlade-C'lain (Gibbs 66) 5. Not used: Fabianski, Arshavin, Benayoun, Coquelin. Booked: Song, Djourou.

REF: V Kassai 7

Sri Lanka still searching for first win

Kumar Sangakkara is on the verge of 10,000 ODI runs 

Match facts

February 17, Sydney

Start time 1420 (0320 GMT)

Sri Lanka might view their tie with India as a missed opportunity, but it at least put them on the board in the Commonwealth Bank Series. All the same, they need a win soon or risk leaving their run for the finals too late. And to have the best chance of success, they need runs out of their senior batsmen; none of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga have scored a half-century so far in this tournament. The SCG might give them some hope, for they have won five of their past seven one-day internationals there, including three victories over Australia. In the past decade, it has been comfortably their best ground in Australia.For the Australians, this match is something of a flashback: Ricky Ponting will captain the side for the first time since he quit the leadership after last year's World Cup. Australia hope it will be a one-off, and that Michael Clarke's hamstring injury will allow him to play the next game on Sunday. Whatever the case, Ponting's appointment has caused some debate, with the nominal vice-captain David Warner not considered experienced enough to lead the side. Captaincy apart, Australia can regain their lead on the series table if they win this match, but a loss would make the second half of the tournament a much closer proposition.

Form guide

Australia LWWWL (Most recent first)

Sri Lanka TLLWW

In the spotlight

At 34, David Hussey finally looks like holding down a permanent place in Australia's ODI team. In and out of the side for four years, Hussey was given another chance by John Inverarity's panel and has rewarded them by being Australia's leading run scorer in the first three games of the series. Being dropped so often during his international career has forced him to play every game as if it's his last, and it's an approach that is benefiting Australia at the moment.Kumar Sangakkara is on the verge of becoming the tenth man to score 10,000 ODI runs. He needs 11 to reach that milestone, and he will be the third Sri Lankan behind Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene to get there. He also remains one of the most respected batsmen in world cricket, and having made starts in all three Commonwealth Bank Series matches so far, Sangakkara doesn't seem far from posting a big one.

Team news

The major change for Australia is the absence of Clarke and a like-for-like swap with Michael Hussey, who was rested from the previous game, is expected. By leaving out Ryan Harris the selectors have opened up a spot for either Brett Lee or Ben Hilfenhaus, but Lee needed to prove his fitness at training on Thursday after surprising everyone with his quick recovery from a toe injury. Again, it seems doubtful that the allrounders Daniel Christian and Mitchell Marsh will squeeze into the same side, and Christian's solid efforts in the series so far have made him hard to drop.

Australia (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Matthew Wade (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Peter Forrest, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 David Hussey, 7 Daniel Christian/Mitchell Marsh, 8 Clint McKay, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Xavier Doherty, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.At the SCG, Sri Lanka should again play two spinners, and changes to the pace-bowling group appear unlikely. Upul Tharanga is yet to reach double figures in this series but scored a couple of half-centuries in the recent series against South Africa. An extended run of poor form from him could lead to top-order changes, but for now he is likely to retain his spot.

Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Sachithra Senanayake, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Rangana Herath.

Pitch and conditions

The SCG is usually a good batting surface and last time a one-day international was played at the venue, Australia chased down 334 to beat England. However, the weather could play a part: the forecast for Friday suggests the chance of thunderstorms and a top temperature of 28C.

We need you, Guus! Chelsea stars want Hiddink to come in and rescue their season

The Blues, who won the title under Carlo Ancelotti two seasons ago, and finished runners-up last term, slipped down to fifth in the Premier League after last weekend's defeat at Everton.

It is believed that Villas-Boas's tactics were questioned during a meeting at the training ground on Sunday, which was also attended by the club's owner Roman Abramovich.

And the Standard report that some players want Hiddink in now, especially with the club still in with a chance of winning silverware.

The Blues face Birmingham in the FA Cup fifth round this weekend, and after that take on Napoli in the first knockout stage of the European Cup.

Under pressure: Villas-Boas watches his Chelsea team play Everton last weekend

Hiddink is currently available, having resigned as Turkey coach in November, but he 65-year-old is reportedly keen on a permanent job. Among the other clubs linked with him are Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala and PSV Eindhoven, where he has twice managed before.

His representative Cees van Nieuwenhuizen recently refused to confirm whether Hiddink would be keen on returning to London.

He said: 'I know they are not doing too well at the moment but Guus never puts himself in a position that he says he is interested in whatever job if there is still a coach who is doing the job.

'For him, that’s not the way to treat your colleagues.'

Real Madrid, Barcelona top football’s rich list

Real Madrid and Barcelona are football’s biggest moneymakers for the third straight year and look set to out-earn their rivals for the foreseeable future. The annual review of football finance by Deloitte shows Madrid topping the list for the seventh straight year with revenue of 479.5 million ($636.5 million) to the year ending June 30, an increase of 9 percent on the previous 12 months. English champion Manchester United was again in third place with (euro) 367 million ($487.2 million), the highest of four English clubs in the top 10 earners. Bayern Munich was fourth with (euro) 321.4 million ($426.6 million), with Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Schalke next. One more year at the top for Madrid would equal United’s No. 1 streak from 1997-2004 but the accountancy firm says on-field success could yet push Barcelona into first place next year. Barcelona trails Madrid by seven points in the Spanish league but its revenue increased 13 percent to (euro) 451 million ($599 million) and it could rise further if the team retains the Champions League title. Defending Spanish and European champion Barcelona receives about (euro) 30 million ($40 million) per season in a sponsorship deal from the Qatar Foundation and earned (euro) 51 million ($68 million) from the Champions League, beating United 3-1 in last season’s final at Wembley Stadium. It can already count on (euro) 3.5 million ($4.65 million) toward next year’s total after winning FIFA’s Club World Cup in December. “This may allow it to narrow, or even bridge, the gap to Real,” Deloitte sports business group partner Dan Jones said. “However, relative on-pitch performance, particularly in the Champions League, may determine next year’s top two Money League placings. “Both clubs are closing in on revenues of (euro) 500 million and are likely to pass this threshold within the next few years. Each club’s annual revenues have grown by almost (euro) 200 million compared with five years before, a remarkable achievement.” United is certain to trail again next season after its early elimination from this season’s Champions League, only the second time it has failed to progress from the group stage in 16 seasons. Madrid and Barcelona have both advanced to the last 16 and have such earning power that even a move to collective bargaining for broadcast revenue _ the model long employed by England’s Premier League _ is unlikely to affect their financial dominance. “The gulf may widen to over (euro) 100 million next year,” Jones said. “Spanish clubs are currently negotiating a collective model for the distribution of La Liga broadcast revenues, potentially from 2015-16. “The revenue advantage that Real and Barca enjoy over their European peers indicates that a more even distribution of La Liga broadcast revenues would not necessarily challenge the two clubs’ dominance at the top of the Money League.” Madrid earned 36 percent of its revenue from commercial activities such as merchandising and sponsorship, 26 percent from matchday income, including ticket sales, and 38 percent from broadcast agreements. The top 20 clubs in the Deloitte list generated a combined (euro) 4.4 billion ($5.8 billion) over the 2010-11 season, about 3 percent up on the previous year’s (euro) 4.3 billion (then $5.6 billion). Tottenham rose above Manchester City to 11th place following its run to the quarterfinals in its debut Champions League campaign, but City could leapfrog its English rival next year after six matches in this season’s group stage. Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Napoli were newcomers in the top 20, replacing Atletico Madrid, Stuttgart and Aston Villa after a season of greater domestic success. French champion Lille was the only winner of one of Europe’s five major leagues _ Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France _ not to make it into a top 20 entirely composed of European sides. Deloitte said that Brazilian clubs Corinthians and Sao Paulo, with reported revenues of between (euro) 70 million ($93 million) and (euro) 80 million ($106 million), would only make a top 50 list.

Sanchez double and Messi magic delights Barca

Two goals by Alexis Sanchez – his first in the Champions League – led Barcelona to a 3-1 first-leg win at Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday to put the holders in the driving seat in their round of 16 tie.  Barca, who are now unbeaten in 13 Champions League games and have scored in 28 consecutive matches in the competition, are trying to lift the trophy for the third time in four years. While Chile forward Alexis struck twice, it was Lionel Messi who once again stole the show with another sublime exhibition of ball skills capped by a late third goal from the World Player of the Year. “We are very satisfied with the result because scoring three goals away is very important,” said Barca coach Pep Guardiola. The visitors grabbed the lead in the 41st minute after a brilliant left-footed flick by Messi sent Alexis racing through on goal. Michal Kadlec equalised in the 52nd minute but the 23-year-old Chilean made it 2-1 three minutes later. Messi completed the win, starting an 88th-minute move that also involved Dani Alves and finishing it with a volley at the far post as Barca avenged their 2001 defeat by Leverkusen, the last German club to beat them. Asked whether he was planning to rest Messi, who has now scored a remarkable 25 goals in his last 24 Champions League matches, Guardiola replied: “Why? People want to see players like him. “His life is football. He doesn’t care. He’s just happy when he plays. For us it’s very important when he plays.”

HARD WORK

Leverkusen, without injured playmaker Michael Ballack, knew they would have to work hard and chase the Spaniards for the ball and with 80 percent possession in the first half Barca set the tone. The Germans managed to keep the scoring chances to a minimum until Messi lifted the ball over Leverkusen’s back line and Alexis ran on to beat keeper Bernd Leno. Leverkusen perked up in the second half and Kadlec gave them hope when he climbed high to head in at the far post after right back Vedran Corluka crossed from the byline. Alexis then scored from a tight angle after dribbling round Leno before Gonzalo Castro’s low drive was expertly tipped on to the post by Barca keeper Victor Valdes who followed up by stopping a diving header from Stefan Kiessling. “Our defensive operation was good in the first half but we also had too much respect for Barca and were afraid,” said Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt. “In the second half it was completely different and we made it uncomfortable for them at times.” Leverkusen tried hard to force a second equaliser that would have kept the tie alive for the return leg in Spain on March 7 but Argentina forward Messi, who hit the woodwork earlier, put the game beyond the home team with two minutes left. “I think it is finished now,” said former Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur defender Corluka.

Greipel wins stage one on Tour of Oman

Germany's Lotto-Belisol rider Andre Griepel continued his great start to 2012 on Tuesday by winning the first stage on cycling s Tour of Oman. The winner of three stages of the Tour Down-Under in Australia last month, Greipel powered ahead of his rivals on the line to win a sprint finish and claim the leaders red jersey on the opening day of the six day race. In windy conditions, Danilo Wyss, Mikhail Ignatyev, Alexandre Lemair and Pengda Jiao powered into an early breakaway with Ignatyev staying clear of the peleton until just five kilometre to the finish. However he was hauled and in the end Greipel was too strong, winning from Denis Galimzyanov and American Tyler Farrar.

England beat Pakistan in 2nd ODI

All Pakistan team succumbed at 230 against England’s total of 250-4. The English win comes as a solace after humiliating whitewash of the Test series by Pakistan.  Alastair Cook hit a second successive hundred to set England a promising score of 250-4 against Pakistan in the second day-night international. Cook scored 102 for his fourth hundred -- the first England captain and ninth batsmen for his country to hit back-to-back hundreds in one-dayers -- to carry on the good work after his career-best 137 in Monday s win in the first match. The 27-year-old left-hander put on 67 for the opening wicket with Kevin Pietersen (26) after England won the second successive toss and batted. He also added 49 with Jonathan Trott (23) for the second and 78 for the third with Ravi Bopara who made an attractive 58. Cook was again at his fluent best, hitting 10 boundaries off 121 balls before he gave a return catch to leg-spinner Shahid Afridi in the 42nd over. No Pakistani player could stand firmly against English bowling, with all team falling on 230 with 7 balls to spare. At one point, Pakistan needed 22 from 8 balls with no wicket to spare. Misbah scored 47.