If anyone can explain to me why you would wrestle a player to the ground when he is facing the corner flag going nowhere, then I would like to hear from them.

Unfortunately, for all Arsenal fans present at the stadium, and Gooners watching world wide on TV, we end up paying the ultimate price from the free kick.

Having said that, I still feel that we lost the tie in the first leg in Holland with a very poor second half performance against - it must be said - a very average PSV side. We paid the price for not taking our chances in the first half. That is what's so depressing.

Interestingly enough, all the teams that went through on aggregate scored an away goal (except Milan – Ed)

Not withstanding the injuries that cost us the services of Rosicky, RVP and Eboue, it's a tie we should never have lost. If I were the manager of the other seven teams in the quarter finals, I know who I would be praying to be drawn against!

Having said that and swallowing the bitter disappointment of being beaten in three cup competitions in ten days, I do believe the future for our club is very bright.

When you consider how ravaged we have been with injuries all season, the players can be proud of their efforts. Next season we will have great strength in depth across the defence, a multitude of riches in midfield and with one or two astute signings in the summer, a great frontline.

The young players can only get better and will learn from the experience. Tears will have been shed last night and the bitter taste of defeat will I am sure drive the team on to better things next season.

Keep your heads up Gooners.

Clive Waterman, Gooner since ‘54.