Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen

Belgian wants to forget thrashing

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Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen could not explain the 4-0 defeat to AC Milan at the San Siro, but has vowed that the Gunners will restore pride in the return leg at the Emirates.

It took just 15 minutes for the hosts to take the lead through Kevin Prince-Boateng, before a Robinho double and a Zlatan ibrahimovich penalty sealed the rout, leaving boss Arsene Wenger admitting that progression would be highly unlikely.

The Gunners just could not contain Milans attacking threat and Vermaelen was at a loss to explain why they were so easily beaten.

"It's difficult to give an explanation for what happened so soon after the game this evening because I'm quite disappointed by what happened," said Vermaelen.

"It was a really bad result. The only thing we can do is remember that weve still got another game to go. Now we have to show some pride and give 100 per cent in the return leg. We have to give something back to all those Arsenal fans who came all the way out here to this stadium, here in Milan, only for us to disappoint them.

"We must think of them now because what happened was not good. The only thing we can do is give them a good result in the home game."

And Vermaelen believes the best thing Arsenal can do is forget the Milan game and focus on Sunderland in the FA Cup on Saturday.

"When you are a professional you put the bad things that happen behind you," he added.

"We will have to learn our lessons from what happened tonight but it is important at times like this to remain mentally strong and focus on the next game."

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