Arsenal legend David O'Leary's fury at Ibrahimovic's over-the-top challengeBy Sportsmail ReporterLast updated at 3:20 PM on 3rd January 2011David O'Leary showed his ugly side when multi-million pound AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed too many studs against Al Ahli. The ex-Arsenal defender is now managing the Dubai club and was hoping to see off the Italian giants in the Emirates Challenge Cup.But when the big Swede clattered into Hassan in the dying seconds with Milan leading 2-1, O'Leary rediscovered the bite that made him so feared at the heart of George Graham's Highbury side.Incensed, the 52-year-old former Leeds and Aston Villa manager had to be held back by colleagues as he hollered at Ibrahimovic who in turn taunted O'Leary from a distance.Just as the situation was threatening to boil over the referee blew the final whistle and suddenly it was handshakes all round.Not that the match passed that well for Milan as star striker Robinho - the same one who just couldn't play for Manchester City - was carried off with a knee injury after coming off second best when charging into a pitchside TV camera. But the sight of the Brazil man with his knee covered in ice and being helped from the scene of the incident should not cause too much concern Rosseneri fans too much and he is not expected to be a long-term casualty.Instead, Robinho may miss one match after needing ten stitches in the wound - that's charging into a solid metal object brandishing just a knee for protection does for you.O'Leary skirted the issue of the clash and said: 'I wouldn’t want to talk about him (Ibrahimovic). It’s been a pleasure to have AC Milan here. 'It’s a club I’ve admired for a long long time. I’ve been lucky at Arsenal to play against them and then to be manager against them. It was a lovely evening. I hope Milan got what they wanted out of it and Robinho is alright. I hope they go on to win the league as well.' Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said: 'It was just a nervous moment between the player and coach. It died out immediately after that.'
"It’s been a pleasure to have AC Milan here. It’s a club I’ve admired for a long long time. I’ve been lucky at Arsenal to play against them and then to be manager against them. It was a lovely evening. I hope Milan got what they wanted out of it and Robinho is alright. I hope they go on to win the league as well."
QuoteArsenal legend David O'Leary's fury at Ibrahimovic's over-the-top challengeBy Sportsmail ReporterLast updated at 3:20 PM on 3rd January 2011David O'Leary showed his ugly side
Arsenal legend David O'Leary's fury at Ibrahimovic's over-the-top challengeBy Sportsmail ReporterLast updated at 3:20 PM on 3rd January 2011David O'Leary showed his ugly side