How bad were Arsenal? John Giles calls 4-0 defeat a “sackable offence”

After suffering a record loss in European competition last night, RTE pundit John Giles didn't mince his words, saying Arsenal's 4-0 defeat should be a "sackable offence" for Arsene Wenger.

With a toothless, uninspired performance away to Serie A champions AC Milan, Arsenal's Champions League dream looks over, with the side now clinging to hopes of a fourth place Premier League finish and/or the FA Cup trophy, following a barren spell of over six trophyless years.

Surprisingly, it wasn't Eamon Dunphy that stuck the boot in after the game for a change, but rather fellow pundit John Giles.

"That performance by Arsenal today is a sackable performance for a manager," said the former Irish international. "No spirit, no fight, that's the first thing you're looking for and Arsenal just laid down tonight. Absolutely awful, nothing to recommend about them at all."

The performance should put increased pressure on a manager that some Arsenal fans now feel should move on for the good of the club, or rather feel that he is supported by the club's top brass due to his ability to produce healthy balance sheets rather than performances.

"It was a shocking result and a shocking performance," said a shell-shocked Wenger after the defeat from a classy Milan side. "We made mistake after mistake and were deservedly punished.

"It is a night we will never forget - our worst in Europe by far. There was not one moment in the entire 90 minutes when we were in the game."

Wenger went on to state that he hopes the loss does not destroy the Arsenal side's confidence for the remainder of the season, as the club are often accused of mental fragility.

"There may be a statistical chance of two per cent we can still go through but realistically we are out of this competition," he said.

"I can't say I did everything perfectly when we have lost 4-0 but I don't believe we made big tactical mistakes. Now there is a danger that a disappointment as big as this will have consequences on our belief for the rest of the season."