A quick word ahead of the crucial Champions League clash tonight against AC Milan.
We face the current Italian Serie A table toppers. And being a two-legged tie, it is very important that after 90 minutes, the tie is not beyond Arsenal. Unlike league games, the Champions League is more suited to attacking teams so this may just suit Arsenal as AC Milan will create room for us to play against them.
Perhaps the only hindrance to an excellent attacking display from Arsenal might be the state of the pitch. But really, we should not use that as an excuse if we do not turn up for the game tonight. Yes there is a risk of injury- as we saw with Metersacker, but if we go into the game worrying about that, then we have no business playing football.
In 2008, we knocked AC Milan out of the competition at the same stage after a goalless draw at the Emirates in the first leg. Fabregas and Adebayor put them to the sword in the San Siro. But that was a long time ago.
Thierry Henry will play what I believe to be his very last competitive Arsenal game tonight. I really wish he goes out with a bang, not a whimper. But that said, he has already won us two crucial games in his short loan period with the club. If in those weeks of being with the club, other players haven't learnt anything from him, then they'll never learn.
What of the team? I hear you ask, well, I think the team pretty much picks itself these days. I expect the following team for tonight's game:
Szczesny
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs
Song Arteta
Rosicky
Theo Oxlade-Chamberlain
Van Persie
Lets get a win or a score draw and we should be in a good position for the second leg.
COYG!!!!!
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