Today’s View From The Enemy comes direct from the AC Milan official website, and is a very concise and honest assessment of both teams chances this evening…..
AC MILAN V ARSENAL: THE MATCH PREVIEW
The Rossoneri take on the Gunners in the first leg of Europa League’s Last-16
The Red and Blacks have had a successful path in the Europa League so far. Yet, for the first time, they will face in the Last-16 one of the favourite teams to win the competition: Arsenal FC.
AC MILAN’S FORM
The Rossoneri have won five of the last six matches at home in European competitions (1 draw) and have kept a clean sheet four times – including our last 1-0 win against Ludogorets –. These strong numbers, added to the confidence booster provided by coach Gattuso, show AC Milan’s toughness when playing at San Siro.
OUR OPPONENTS’ FORM
Coach Arsène Wenger’s side is going through a crisis in terms of results and performances. The Gunners have lost 6 of their last 8 matches, including the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, the return match in Europa League’s Round of 32 against Östersunds FK and last Sunday’s Premier League away game against Brighton & Hove Albion. Yet, the North London side were top of Group H and are one of the most prolific teams in the competition (18 goals in total).
DANGERMEN
Arsène Wenger field his team in a 4-2-3-1, with a good mix of experience and talent. It’s in the final third of the pitch that the Gunners have their key players starting with the pacey Wales international Aaron Ramsey, able to find the empty space between the lines. Up front, without Alexandre Lacazette (injured) and the newly-signed striker Aubamenyang – ineligible in the Europa League – the French manager can count on Danny Welbeck central forward, supported by Mkhitaryan, Ozil and almost certainly by Iwobi. A physical offensive line, with technique and unpredictability. The greatest dangers come from Ozil and Mkhitaryan: the Armenian, who joined Arsenal in the winter transfer market window has already shown his qualities, managing to outnumber the opponents’ midfield and thanks to his passing skills. The Germany international, on the other hand, has unique abilities in the Arsenal squad: a box-to-box midfielder with great technique, vision of play and ability to find the through pass at any time.
© Arsenal.com
TEAM NEWS
The Rossoneri get to this Europa League clash without playing in the Milan derby at the weekend as Serie A matches were cancelled following the tragic passing of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori.
Gattuso’s men started preparing for the Arsenal clash on Monday morning and will undergo two more sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. The boss will have the full complement of strikers to throw at the Gunners with Patrick Cutrone reported to start up front but with the Rossoneri top European striker André Silva and Nikola Kalinicready to come on.
MILAN SQUAD FOR THE ARSENAL GAME
GOALKEEPERS: A. Donnarumma, G. Donnarumma
DEFENDERS: Bonucci, Calabria, Rodriguez, Romagnoli, Zapata
MIDFIELDERS: Biglia, Bonaventura, Calhanoglu, Kessie, Locatelli, Montolivo
FORWARDS: Borini, Cutrone, Kalinic, André Silva, Suso.
THE VENUE
A packed San Siro is ready to host this important game as more than 70,000 thousand fans in the stands. The stadium is about 6 km away from the centre of Milan and is easily reachable in various ways. Here is all the information you need to arrive at the greatest temple of football worldwide.
