Former Arsenal player Mathieu Flamini slated on Twitter after Milan display

Arsenal supporters know all about just how difficult it is to go to Barcelona and get a result, being battered 4-1 in 2010 and beaten 3-1 a year later.

Former player Mathieu Flamini was hoping for better luck last night, as his AC Milan side went to the Nou Camp full of confidence their 2-0 first leg lead would be enough, but they should have held more fear.

An early goal for Lionel Messi set the tone, and after the Argentine netted a second a minute after former Gunners trialist M'Baye Niang had hit the post for the visitors, the writing was on the wall.

Barcelona ran out 4-0 winners - with a third from Gunners target David Villa, ending any talks of a club in 'crisis' after successive Clasico defeats, and crushing Milan's dreams in the process.

One statistic highlights just how one-sided the game was; despite both playing over 75 minutes minutes - Mathieu Flamini of Milan touched the ball just 23 times - compared to opposition midfielder Xavi's 136 touches.

Flamini could have been re-signed by Arsenal last summer after his contract expired, but Milan offered him a new one-year deal and last night was his 14th game of the season.

The midfielder is best remembered at the Gunners for featuring at left-back in the club's successful run to the Champions League Final in 2006, before being dropped for Ashley Cole, and he left on a free for Milan two years later.

He can point to his Serie A title medal won in 2010/11 as justification for his move, but he has suffered terribly with injuries, and watching him last night, supporters of his former club were among those unimpressed.

Here what was said about him on Twitter...

How is Flamini kept on the the field?Totally useless #afc #CL

— ------S------ (@donegael) March 12, 2013

Flamini looked a shadow of his former self tonight. What a waste. One of my former favourites. Was gutted to see him go. #AFC #GoonerFamily

— Paul Woolston (@Paulothewolf63) March 12, 2013

Flamini just hasn't been the same since he left us #AFC

— Abdul (@AbdAfc) March 12, 2013

#Flamini on the pitch. #Fabregas on the bench. Remember the promise of FlaFa anyone!? #AFC

— Tejas (@trulytazz) March 12, 2013

hleb,flamini,song,cesc.is it greener @ the other side?

—Agbo(@dopebwoi1) March 12, 2013

Massimo allegri should be left out in the cold at london bridge stripped naked at 3am for starting flamini

— M (@moshtweetz) March 12, 2013

Flamini? said 'Milan was nervous'!! No mate u shudnt get nervous when u play 'piggy in the middle'

— paul okon (@paolojnr) March 12, 2013

I would die to know what was going in Allegri's head when he started Flamini ahead of Muntari.

— Mohalhel Al-kulaib (@Mohalhel) March 12, 2013

Milan shld have signed the Flamini that played for us.The one they've got is an absolute imposter!

— MaxSarkodieGunner1 (@silvergunner21) March 12, 2013

Was Flamini the worst of the Milan players, or were they all so bad you couldn't tell them apart?

image: © olaszmelo