AC Milan vs. Arsenal: 4-0 Loss Epitomizes Everything Wrong with Gunners' Season

Well. That was fun.

I wondered what Arsenal's response would be to Kevin-Prince Boateng's statements that his side had nothing to fear going into the match.

It wasn't quite what was expected. The team was a shambles in defense, toothless in attack and boring in midfield.

There were a couple moments for sure, and by a couple I mean the two Robin van Persie chances that actually forced Christian Abbiati into meaningful saves, but that was it.

The terrible individual performances don't really need any more pointing out, although Theo Walcott has to get special mention for being hooked at halftime.

There is nothing positive to take from this encounter and, honestly, there doesn't seem to be many positives for the remainder of season. Okay, maybe that's a little bit of a stretch, but things aren't exactly okay.

This loss epitomized everything that was wrong with the team this season. It started from the summer when Arsene Wenger and/or the board—it really doesn't matter who—decided to save money after selling two players for substantial amounts.

Gervinho and Mikel Arteta have been solid, Per Mertesacker has been average, Andre Santos should never have joined in the first place and, apparently, Chu-Young Park was just a marketing buy. The interest begins to fade if he doesn't play though, Wenger.

Park has stated that he may look elsewhere in the summer and he has every right to. The simple fact that Thierry Henry has been chosen ahead of him virtually ever game during his loan spell speaks volumes about either Wenger's level confidence in the player or the level of Park's own skills.

As much as Wenger has gotten it right over the years, I think I would go with Park on this one. There certainly has to be some place for him in Arsenal's lineup from time to time. Speaking of which, I really haven't been a fan of Arsenal's setup in midfield.

A 4-3-3, in my simple estimation, should have just one dedicated defensive midfielder. They already have that player in Alex Song. There is no reason why he cannot still make his exquisite passes or runs forward and then get cover.

For the most part this season the Gunners have relied on Aaron Ramsey to be linked with Van Persie. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I am fan of Ramsey but he still can't shoulder that burden fully.

Night's like tonight show how much better it would be to have two creative players, Ramsey and Arteta working with Van Persie. Thiago Silva and Philippe Mexes would have had a harder time dealing with that.

This team hasn't really risen to the occasion throughout the season. Manchester City got a good fight and Chelsea were beaten but there haven't been any standout "the game will be tight but we will emerge victorious"-type games.

The lack of experience and mettle still shows in games like this. Arsenal had nothing to show for itself from the beginning and as the goals piled on, things just got worse.

AC Milan was the team's first major test in Europe and it didn't go well. This game should have been a statement for all of Europe and it was—just not in a good way.

Arsenal are certainly out of the Champions League. Fans can hope all they want but I do not see this Arsenal side scoring four goals against this side without conceding one.

Things aren't exceptional on the home front either.

The league sees them in a battle with Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle for fourth place. Arsenal are leading the way right now but considering how up and down this team has been, how long will that last?

The FA Cup takes Arsenal back out to Sunderland this weekend and considering the expectant hangover from this game, and the battle that the Gunners encountered last weekend, it will be a tough one.

This team has had injuries, there is no denying that, but these injuries seem to happen every season. Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen all missed important moments last year. Arsenal really should be able to cope with such situations.

The Gunners have had this fan riding highs and lows this season and maybe my cynicism is getting the best of me. Hopefully that's the case.

Arsenal have to get back to the drawing board and it starts this weekend. We'll see how that one goes.