Arsenal vs AC Milan: Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Arsenal will attempt to do the (almost) impossible as they go into tonights Champions League second leg with AC Milan looking to overturn a 4-0 deficit. 

We put in one of our worst performances of the season in Italy and deserved to be beaten. But Milan weren’t unplayable that night, we were just that bad and don’t forget a dodgy penalty and a slip from Vermaelen gifted them two goals. I’m confident if the Arsenal that turned up against Tottenham, turns up tonight, we will win the game. But by at least four goals? Maybe not.

I just wish it was ‘only’ 2-0, or even 3-0 would be doable, but 4-0 is likely to be an insurmountable amount to overturn. We have the capabilities to score plenty of goals at home, 12 in the last two games at the Emirates shows that, but can we keep a clean sheet? Our defence has hardly been water-tight this season and an away goal would leave us needing to score six!

If the scoreline wasn’t bad enough, the task has been made even more difficult due to a number of midfield injuries. Arsene Wenger could find himself with only one fit midfielder tonight. Maybe that will force him to play with the six strikers he joked about!

Team News

Mikel Arteta is out after getting concussion against Liverpool, Abou Diaby and Yossi Benayoun are also ruled out after picking up knocks at Anfield.

Thomas Rosicky will face a late test to see if he’s able to start, so with Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong all also ruled out, it leaves Alex Song as the only fit midfielder.

It’t not just in midfield where we have problems. Kieran Gibbs is also facing a late fitness test and if ruled out, i’m not sure who will step in at left back as Vermaelen is needed in the middle due to Mertesacker being out and Andre Santos is still recovering from ankle surgery.

Milan will be without Alexandre Pato who has a thigh injury, while neither Clarence Seedorf or Kevin-Prince Boateng have played since the first leg.

Massimo Ambrosini is suspended and Nesta hasn’t travelled, Urby Emanuelson and Luca Antonini have both returned.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

I think Arsenal will win tonight, but not by enough to progress to the quarter finals. The damage was done at the San Siro. However, a win will ensure we keep up the momentum and retain the confidence we’ve built after beating Spurs and Liverpool. But an early goal and you never know! Arsenal 3-1 AC Milan. 

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What are your thoughts on the game? Please leave your opinions in the comments section below…