Arsenal have suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the San Siro.
The hosts were dominant from the first whistle as Urby Emanuelson and Antonio Nocerino both put shots high and wide.
Milan made the breakthrough after 15 minutes when Kevin-Prince Boateng flashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
In a poor first-half attacking display from the Gunners, Laurent Koscielny could only put a tame header at Christian Abbiati in the Milan goal from Robin van Persie's free kick.
The hosts doubled their lead just before the break when Robinho cushioned his header into the net after good work down the left flank from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Despite bringing on Thierry Henry for the second half, Arsenal found themselves 3-0 down minutes after the break when Robinho hit a low shot past Szczesny following Thomas Vermaelen's slip.
Luca Antonini nearly extended his side's lead on the hour, but the defender could only drag his shot wide. Meanwhile, Van Persie almost grabbed a vital away goal for Arsenal when his fierce volley was tipped around the post by Abbiati.
However, the Premier League side's night was made worse when Ibrahimovic fired in from the penalty spot on 77 minutes after he was tripped in the area by Johan Djourou.
Van Persie came close again with five minutes to go, but his header forced a low save from Abbiati.
The result leaves Arsenal with the slimmest chance of qualification when they host Milan at the Emirates Stadium for the second leg on Tuesday, March 6.
Jack Prescott
