AC Milan Vs. Arsenal Preview (The Italian Job) Plus Probable Line-up

The Game:

It has almost become impossible to predict the outcome of an Arsenal game, they perform just like we want them do today then only to see them play with the hand brake days later. During this campaign, a good number of games where labeled by many, including myself, as the most important of the season. It was like that when we still had small hopes to fight for the title and it was like that, not long ago, when we were trailing Chelsea in the table. But this, against Spurds, is by far the most crucial game of the season, and you can easily understand why.

What lies ahead are four matches which will have a lot to say on whether our season has been a complete disaster or a successful one. Beating the Italians both Home and Away would mean reaching the last eight (8) of the Champions League, something which Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and other strong sides would all want to achieve and it could also mean facing one of them, hence a big chance to actually reach the final again and then the F.A. Cup fifth round away to Sunderland, where a win would mean we move a step further to the another cup final of such an important competition and then welcome Spurds at home in the league the following week.

Back to the game, there’s not a lot we are certain about but for sure we can say that our back four is somehow not the best and that Arsene Wenger has limited players to choose for this tie.

Who are A.C Milan? As a regular of the Italian Serie A, I can say they are the most successful side with much experience in the competition and are not an easy opponent to easily crash out.

But, all this if we actually win these two matches, which unfortunately we have to face with a number of important injuries. Of course we’ll have plenty of time to talk about the F.A. Cup so let’s focus on tomorrow game. As I said earlier, I’m optimistic, even more now that the Italian side will not be a tough opponent. Also, the last two league games showed us that Rosicky and Arteta are ready to shine together and that is great news, especially when you consider that these two have rarely performed together, it’s almost always been either one or the other.

My Probable line-up is below. Remember you can submit your own below at the comment section and don’t forget to give us a follow on Twitter @ArsenalGhana and ArsenalGhana on Facebook and your comments are very important.

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Injury News:

New inclusion to the treatment room is Mertesacker, who is set to be sidelined for a maximum of 4 weeks. Wenger has revealed Full back Gibbs is back to full fitness and could feature in tomorrows game and Swiss Defender Djourou has also being added to the squad after his injury.

Diaby (Muscle), Santos (Ankle) and Wilshere (Ankle) are all unavailable for the trip to Italy.

My Probable line-up is below. Remember you can submit your own below at the comment section and don’t forget to give us a follow on Twitter @ArsenalGhana and ArsenalGhana on Facebook and your comments are very important.

Give me a follow too for all the latest rumour and breaking news on Arsenal @TheArsenalolic on Twitter

Pre-match Interviews

Thomas Vermaelen is confident Arsenal can knock out Italian side AC Milan to reach the Champions League quarter-final ahead of the first leg tie at San Siro on Wednesday.

Arsenal defeat AC Milan at the same stage in 2007-08 competition and Vermaelen is convinced Arsenal can repeat the feat this time around.

“We are all really excited,” Vermaelen told the clubs official website. “It is a big game – an important one too – so it’s a good one to look forward to. For everybody it will be special so it will be a great evening.

“Of course they have a great history and they have won it a few times. They still have some good players and they are a solid team. They are also doing well in the Serie A.  It won’t be easy but I am confident that we can qualify.

“The San Siro is a great stadium of course and it will be a great evening. I think it is probably the best game of the round and lots of people will be watching.”

Pre-Match Facts

• Arsenal have won just three of our last 12 European games on the road including the play-off victory against Udinese.
• Milan have collected nine yellow cards, the joint lowest total of the teams in the last 16 along with Barcelona.
• The encounter four seasons ago is, when Milan were the defending the Champions, was the team’s first in the competition.
• Yossi Benayoun’s goal against Olympiakos on matchday six was Arsenal’s 250^th in the European cup.

Probable Line-Up:

With Mertesacker and Santos sidelined, I would put Vermaelen to partner Koscielny in the center of the defence then Coquelin will once again deputise at left back with Song protecting the back four with his strength and technique’s , Rosicky, Arteta, Walcott  and Chamberlain in midfield and the lone  striker up front will be no other than RVP. My favourite line-up for tomorrow is therefore:

Szczesny

Sagna – Vermaelen– Koscielny – Coquelin
Walcott – Song – Arteta – Rosicky– Chamberlain
Van Persie

Remember you can submit your own below at the comment section and don’t forget to give us a follow on Twitter @ArsenalGhana and ArsenalGhana on Facebook and your comments are very important.

Give me a follow too for all the latest rumour and breaking news on Arsenal @TheArsenalolic on Twitter