Ab Fab: Super Cesc fires glorious Gunners into last eight of the Champions League in Milan

This was a glorious victory, and not just because it marked the first time Milan had lost here to English opposition. Not just because the European Champions had been conquered when the first leg of this tie suggested the advantage belonged to the Italians.

It was the night when this young Arsenal team came of age. When the boys finally became men and Cesc Fabregas proved that he is now one of the finest midfielders on the European stage.

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Assisted by the ferociously competitive Mathieu Flamini, Fabregas dominated Milan's midfield and then crowned a magnificent display with a goal that not only ended 174 minutes of utterly absorbing drama but demonstrated the full range of his talents.

A sidestep past Andrea Pirlo was followed by a terrific 30-yard strike. Extraordinary.

By the time Emmanuel Adebayor struck Arsenal's second in stoppage time, making the most of Theo Walcott's darting run past Gennaro Gattuso befpre crossing from the right, Milan's fans actually applauded Wenger's side.

Judging by his team selection, Wenger intended to take a cautious approach. Perhaps, with the intention of releasing Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott from the bench once Milan's more mature players had started to tire.

Arsenal certainly had youth on their side even if Milan had the experience. An average age of 24 compared to 30 for Milan.

But this was a night when industry and invention would have to be accompanied by intelligence.

When an Arsenal side that have, too often, proved naive on the European stage needed to display the wit that got them to the final two years ago.

Milan looked dangerous from the very start, threatening first with a Paolo Maldini header that took a deflection off Emmanuel Adebayor and forced a fine save from Manuel Almunia and then with a teasing delivery from Gennaro Gattuso that demanded William Gallas make an important interception.

To Arsenal's credit, they responded immediately. Cesc Fabregas dispossessed Andrea Pirlo and delivered the perfect ball for Adebayor, who turned inside Alessandro Nesta before inviting Abou Diaby to try his luck from the edge of the Milan penalty area. Unfortunately for Arsenal, he sent his shot high and wide.

Filippo Inzaghi would have been just as disappointed with his first effort, squandering a fine delivery from Maldini with a half-volley that was hit into the ground before landing in the arms of Almunia. Ditto Pato after one of those moments that illustrates why Kaka is considered the finest footballer in the world.

A seemingly effortless run that took him clear of at least three Arsenal players and covered more than 50 yards ended with a super ball for Pato. Shame the finish failed to match the finesse of what came before it.

Milan were looking increasingly dangerous. Gael Clichy had to time his challenge perfectly to take the ball off the feet of Inzaghi and a shot from Kaka went whistling past Almunia's left-hand post.

At this stage Arsenal appeared to be struggling. Their football lacked their usual fluency. Their attacking play too predictable. Milan, by contrast, seemed to be full of ideas and options.

Only when Maldini suddenly gave the ball away did Arsenal again threaten, Adebayor testing Zeljko Kalac with a curling shot that he did well to tip over his crossbar.

Encouraged by that, Arsenal started to attack with more momentum. Fabregas forced a corner. Milan, and in particular Maldini, continued to make unforced errors. Arsenal, minute by minute, were growing in confidence.

Much to their annoyance, Arsenal were then denied what should have been a free-kick on the edge of the 18-yard box. Nesta clearly caught Alexander Hleb but, to the amazement of Wenger, his player was booked for diving.

Undeterred, the visitors continued to press and when Adebayor glided past Gattuso and Massimo Oddo a neat pass to Fabregas almost resulted in a potentially decisive away goal. The Spaniard hit it beautifully, only to see the ball rebound off the crossbar.

By the end of the first half, the statisticians suggested that Arsenal had enjoyed 55 per cent of the possession. They certainly deserved to be in front, so dominant were they for the last 20 or so minutes, but all they had to show for it was that booking for Hleb. That and the fact that they had the best player on the pitch in Fabregas.

They started the second half as they concluded the first. In control and in determined search of the first goal.

How Philippe Senderos failed to score when a Fabgregas corner found him at the far post is one only he will be able to explain. That said, not even he could believe it judging by his reaction.

Milan continued to make mistakes, conceding possession cheaply and inviting Arsenal to punish them for their carelessness. Emmanuel Eboue went close to doing so, only to send his effort wide.

The more this contest went on the more Arsenal grew in stature, with Fabregas and Flamini so dominant in midfield it was becoming a question of when rather than if they would score.

Not that Wenger was leaving anything to chance. After 71 minutes, off went Eboue and on went Theo Walcott.

Time, Arsenal's manager clearly thought, to put the 18-yearold sprinter up against the 39-yearold Maldini.