AC Milan vs Arsenal

Reported that pato and Kevin prince are for for this game. Was hoping they wouldn't make it as they add significantly to Milan's athleticism. Poo.

MarkoMaksimovic wrote:I dunno, after Theo did Barca in a couple of seasons back, Pep neutralized him in the second leg. That's what I'm weary off, after conceding 2 goals on the counter, they probably doing there homework about Theo, RvP and Ox... Wouldn't surprise me at all if they keep Theo quiet. BUT, as the ever-eternal optimist I do believe we will be too much for Milan and that the pace of our wingers and RvP's form will pull us through. This all depends on who we start in midfield. Rosicky has to start, as do Song and Arteta. Ramsey can come on from the bench but he was a sub today so maybe one of the others drops out.
Defence probably: Sagna, Kos, TV, Gibbs... If Gibbs was on the bench today he might get the nod. It's throwing him in the deep end... Coq right back and Sagna left is more likely. Looking forward to this one, would've had an exam the day after but weather conditions have forced my uni to push all exams back at least a week... Score. C'mon Arsenal!

Dammit, I have an exam the day after!

I hate the weather here being perfect 95% of winter.

Hmmm thinking about this talk of the pace fills me with more confidence...think the ox's trickery could be heavy amount for Milan to worry about if they have done any homework...
Henry playing a part might have them thinking...

Milan's form since the start of the year:

Atalanta 0-2 Milan
Milan 0-1 Internazionale
Milan 2-1 Novara - Italian Cup, 5th Round
Novara 0-3 Milan
Milan 3-1 Lazio - Italian Cup, Quarter Finals
Milan 3-0 Cagliari
Lazio 2-0 Milan
Milan 0-0 Napoli
Milan 1-2 Juventus - Italian Cup, Semi Finals
Udinese 1-2 Milan


They got a really good win away to Udinese yesterday, but apart from that, they don't seem to be winning their games against their main rivals. Losing to Juventus, Lazio, Inter, drawing with Napoli. I know they're top of the league and have players returning, they're a very good team, but they've been quite inconsistent since the resumption of the league after the Xmas break and especially so in the last month.

Mario Leontiou wrote:Milan's form since the start of the year:

Atalanta 0-2 Milan
Milan 0-1 Internazionale
Milan 2-1 Novara - Italian Cup, 5th Round
Novara 0-3 Milan
Milan 3-1 Lazio - Italian Cup, Quarter Finals
Milan 3-0 Cagliari
Lazio 2-0 Milan
Milan 0-0 Napoli
Milan 1-2 Juventus - Italian Cup, Semi Finals
Udinese 1-2 Milan


They got a really good win away to Udinese yesterday, but apart from that, they don't seem to be winning their games against their main rivals. Losing to Juventus, Lazio, Inter, drawing with Napoli. I know they're top of the league and have players returning, they're a very good team, but they've been quite inconsistent since the resumption of the league after the Xmas break and especially so in the last month.

So basically like us then

Was just about to say that Chan. Also, anyone else taking the Ibra to slap someone bet?

I am thinking about this game as the last for Henry rather than a champions league knockout game against of of europe's giants. I am really sad about his departure

Arsenal will be wearing the Bumblebee outfit against Milan. The club officials think the blue outfit would undermine the club's reputation.

Sami Rockfeller wrote:Arsenal will be wearing the Bumblebee outfit against Milan. The club officials think the blue outfit would undermine the club's reputation.

How?

Sami Rockfeller wrote:Arsenal will be wearing the Bumblebee outfit against Milan. The club officials think the blue outfit would undermine the club's reputation.

Huh??

Any news on details of Mertesackers injury and duration please?

Michael Foster wrote:

Sami Rockfeller wrote:Arsenal will be wearing the Bumblebee outfit against Milan. The club officials think the blue outfit would undermine the club's reputation.

Huh??

Don't pay mind to the second part.

Jenks1981 wrote:Any news on details of Mertesackers injury and duration please?

http://news.arseblog.com/2012/02/mertesacker-living-with-uncertainty-over-ankle-injury/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

looks nasty

Just thought i'd point out in any random post that will be used regularly...this new forum is brilliant! Weren't sure at first, but good to be out of Facebook. Thanks moderators!

Really looking forward to this game, maybe more so than recent Champions League games. I think it's because I want to make the most of these special occasions because we may not have them next season.

Szczesny
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs
Song Arteta ???
Walcott RVP Chamberlain


Gibbs will have to play this game, he must have done enough training. Baptism of fire, maybe, but if he truly wants to be our long term left back then he has to be ready.

As for the last spot in midfield, Rosicky or Ramsey? I think Ramsey's extra energy could really be of use in midfield and we know he has more goals in him than Rosicky, but Tomas has done pretty well in his last 2-3 games and has the experience for games like this.

Rosicky will help us keep the ball better in midfield and so should start. Rambo to come on if we need a goal.

Rosicky over Ramsey for me. The midfield seems to move the ball quicker with him in the side... He's got a good engine, so does Ramsey but Tomas has experience and this is exactly the type of game you think he'd start! Otherwise I agree with Mario's lineup....
About the BFG's injury, it looks awful, I remember when I rolled my ankle badly and it swelled up like that, bruising and all... Had a blood clot just above the bone too... Was not pretty, no cast, but exruciating pain every night for at least two weeks

Rosicky over Ramsey. His maturity and experience are essential for a big big game like this. And I don't think he's any less mobile or energetic than Ramsey.

what is the status of the pitch????? I heard on news that parts of the pitch were relayed. anyone read anything about that?

----------------------SZCZESNY----------------------
SAGNA----KOSCIELNY----VERMAELEN----GIBBS
SONG-----------------ARTETA-------------ROSICKY
WALCOTT---------van PERSIE----CHAMBERLAIN

Glad to have our fullbacks back in action. A little unfortunate that we don't have the height of Mertesacker to keep Ibrahimovic occupied, but Koscielny and Vermaelen make for a very skilled CB pairing. I'd pick Rosicky over Ramsey, just because Rosicky has more experience. However, Chamberlain over Arshavin, because I trust the youngster more right now.

I wouldn't start Gibbs. Huge stage to return on after a long injury lay-off.

In the away leg versus Udinese, Bac started on the left and Jenks on the right.

I'd like Coq to get a start on the right. He helped Theo a lot on the right flank against Blackburn, overlapping many times and even getting an assist.

Don't think Miquel is part of the squad because he featured in the Ressie's win yesterday.

Against Milan's strong offense, I'd prefer playing our best defenders in their natural positions. That means Sagna on the right and Gibbs on the left. Wenger's said he thinks he' ready so I'll take his word for it. Also, Rosicky for Ramsey, to hold the ball better in the mid and add that bit of experience. And I don't think Arshavin's brilliant assist warrants him a starting place just yet. Would love to see The Ox up against Milan's defense, which I think struggles with pace. My lineup would be:

Szczes
Sagna Vermscielny Gibbs
Arteta Song Rosicky
Theo RVP The Ox

Feeling good about tonight. We generally do well in tough European fixtures.

Come on The Arsenal!

I hope we play Gibbs at left back. Or Le Coq. I read on Goal.com today that Wenger may even play Song at CB and keep TV at LB, but it had no quotes so likely to be rubbish.

Rosicky would probably be better for this game than Ramsey. San Siro has an atmosphere and won't be an easy place to go, Rosicky's experience will serve us well. And we seem to flow more with him in the side and Italian sides struggle against pace, if we can play a quick game and use Theo/Ox well than we have a good chance of scoring.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking forward to tonight’s UEFA Champions League tie against AC Milan, and has iterated the importance of keeping opposition striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic away from the scoring sheet.

The Swedish international striker has had a sublime career in football, and has been playing for the best clubs in the world. Having played for clubs like Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Juventus and now Milan, Ibrahimovic has seen it all, as he prepares for the first knockout round leg at the San Siro.

Wenger sang praises for the 30-year old striker, and said, ”

“He is a great player, if you look at his record, at what he has won, he has his own personality based on a strong belief in himself.

“That is a quality at the top level that can sometimes be seen as over-confidence but I don’t think he is because he turns up with performances in the big games.

“That’s why I believe he was at the Arsenal training ground before his career. Before he moved to Ajax we were interested in him, and he made a great career.”

http://www.soccerplay.net/arsenal-manager-worried-about-milan-star/18368


AC Milan defender Thiago Silva is worried that he may not be able to cope with Robin Van Persie, when the pair face off later tonight at the San Siro.

The Brazil international has regularly been touted as the world's best centre-back, but even he acknowledges the form Van Persie is in, which has been nothing short of astonishing this season.

The 27 year-old also pointed the danger Thierry henry poses, who is set to make his final bow for Arsenal, as he finished his loan spell at the Emirates-

"Van Persie and Henry can decide the match at any time. I don't know whether I'll be able to stop the Dutchman ‒ we'll have to see," said Silva.

http://www.footballfriendsonline.com/transfer-gossip/2012/2/15/milan-stopper-fearful-of-rvp.html

Any ideas on the Milan line up ?? In their last game at Udinese, Pato and Ibra weren't even in the squad.. ?