ARSENAL-MILAN: TRIVIA
2/19/2008
MILAN - Tomorrow night, at the Emirates stadium around 20.45, Milan will go on the pitch wearing a white shirt, black pants and black socks. Meanwhile, Arsenal will play with a red shirt, white pants and white socks.

Same kit we used against Manchester.  I wouldn't mind that result again.

Same kit we used against Manchester.  I wouldn't mind that result again.

Really can't wait for the game now. The fact that we will get to watch Maldini play in our stadium for the first and last time is a privilege in itself.

CL Preview: Arsenal - AC Milan

What: Champions League Round Of 16, First Leg
Who: Arsenal (63 pts, 1st) vs. AC Milan (38 pts, 5th)
When: Wednesday February 20, 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: Herbert Fandel (GER)
 
A huge game with little historical precedence, Wednesday night will see the ageing World and European champions enter the lair of the young multinational pretenders.  A purist's dream awaits.

Fear Of An Empty Cabinet

There is a very real fear among Arsenal fans that they could finish the season with nothing to show for all their delightful football. It’s a worst case scenario that would be magnified ten fold if Tottenham managed to win the Carling Cup.

Right now, Arsene Wenger’s young side could probably do without this two-legged tie against the most successful European team of the last two decades. Not only have they been knocked out of their stride by the 5-1 mauling at the hands of their north London neighbours and the 4-0 hammering by Man United in the FA Cup, they have an injury list as long as the Northern Line.

"We need to pick ourselves up quickly because we have a massive game on Wednesday night...we need to be at our best to beat Milan," said Arsene Wenger.

Before January yawned another year into life, the use of the phrase ‘Arsenal need to pick themselves up' was beginning to drift out of the English vocabulary from a lack of usage.

But despite remaining on top of the Premier League table, something has happened to Arsenal since then and not many observers are still talking about the possibility of Arsenal tearing through an ageing Milan in the same way that they destroyed an rusting Juventus two years ago in the same competition.

That doesn’t mean that the Gunners aren’t capable of beating a Milan side that continue to stumble in Serie A.

Much depends on the match fitness of Togolese powerhouse Emmanuel Adebayor and the ability of Fabregas, Hleb and Flamini to go toe-to-toe with one of the game'’ most outstanding midfields.

Then there is the question of stopping Kaka pulling defenders out of position with his drifting runs from midfield. Flamini will probably be given the task of trying to cut off his supply line, not an easy task when the almost un-markable Pirlo does much of the supplying.

If Wenger has done his homework, and it would be foolish to think he hasn’t, he will vary his attacking approach, using the flanks and Adebayor’s considerable ability in the air to unlock the one major weak point in Milan’s rearguard. It may not be the Arsenal way but it might be the best way of breaking down a still very solid red and black wall and taking an advantage to the San Siro. 

Past Masters Back For More

If Arsenal are stuttering at the top of their league, Milan are wobbling even more perilously in fifth place in Serie A. Two drab draws against relegation strugglers Livorno and Parma were hardly the best way to warm up for their biggest game of the season so far.

But we are talking about the premier European cup specialists of the last twenty years here, a club that has brushed aside previous top of the table sides such as Barcelona, Inter and, last season, Man United on their way to no less than eight Champions League finals since 1989.

This experience counts for a lot, according to returning midfielder Clarence Seedorf.

"We know how to handle these occasions...we have experience and we have cunning," said the evergreen Dutch maestro on the eve of the game.

But the Rossoneri do have problems, especially between their own posts. Even though he was only a substitute for Saturday's game against Parma, calamitous goalkeeper Nelson Dida was stretchered off after somehow managing to sit improperly on the bench. Then, the following day, the club's current number one, Zeljko Kalac, dislocated his index finger in training. Both keepers could miss the Arsenal game.

Milan’s patchy Serie A form will count for little here. If Kaka performs, and he almost always does on nights like this one, then Milan can leave with a win. Ancelotti, however, will be almost as happy with a draw.



FORM GUIDE

Arsenal
Man Utd. - Arsenal 4 - 0 16/02/2008 FA CUP
Arsenal - Blackburn 2 - 0 11/02/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester City - Arsenal 1 - 3 02/02/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Arsenal - Newcastle  3 - 0 29/01/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Arsenal - Newcastle  3 - 0 26/01/2008 FA CUP
Tottenham - Arsenal 5 - 1 22/01/2008 CARLING CUP 


AC Milan
Parma - Milan 0 - 0 16/02/2008 SERIE A
Milan - Livorno 1 - 1 13/02/2008 SERIE A
Milan - Siena 1 - 0 10/02/2008 SERIE A
Fiorentina - Milan 0 - 1 03/02/2008 SERIE A
Reggina - Milan 0 - 1 30/01/2008 SERIE A
Milan - Genoa 2 - 0 27/01/2008 SERIE A


TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

The best news for Arsenal fans is that the mighty Adebayor will return to lead the attack against Milan. However, Djourou, Persie, Diaby, Denilson,  Rosicky, Walcott, Clichy and Song remain either doubtful or definitely out. Manuel Almunia has recovered from a sickness bug and will start.

AC Milan

Kaka is fit again and is likely line up behind a lone striker, either Pato or more probably Gilardino. Rino Gattuso returned to the side against Parma on Saturday and his presence will complete Milan’s first choice midfield. Kaladze, Bonera or the medal-collecting Maldini will partner Nesta in the centre of defence.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal: Emmanuel Adebayor

Some people believe Arsenal are a more adaptable team since Adebayor took over striking duties from Thierry Henry. Others think Adebayor is a better all round footballer than Henry. Adebayor himself is just happy to be having the finest season of his career. 19 goals in all competitions are a testament to his extraordinary prowess on the deck and in the air. Best African striker in the world?


AC Milan: Andrea Pirlo

While most untrained eyes will be on Kaka, the more cultured among you will also be watching the most graceful passer of the ball in world football. Pirlo has made his role as deep-lying playmaker his own, dictating the direction, tempo and shape of the play with his relentless, almost metronomic, array of effortless long and short passes. He is also the most subtle free-kick specialist in the game.


PREDICTION

The Rossoneri have learned over the years that they don‘t have to win the first-leg to go through. Expect caution. But not from Arsenal who will throw that notion to the breeze as they turn the pace up to eleven. Could be tight, but don't rule out a few goals either.

Arsenal 2 - 2  AC Milan

Gil Gillespie