Arsenal v AC Milan Preview: How Do We Approach This Match?

Wenger: We need 5 goals

Tonight sees us kick off the second ''half'' of our match against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League. Yes, it is half time and we are trailing by 4 goals to nil. So, what do you say to the boys as the manager? How do you set up your team for the second half so that you salvage the game?

The key lies in what Arsene Wenger said:

"We will not accept going out of the Champions League because we want to stay in. We will give it our best shot tomorrow"

 Not accepting defeat is the key to any semblance of a salvage of pride or, dare I dream, a complete reversal of the tie. Liverpool came back against the same team a few seasons back to win the Champions League final after being 3 goals down at half time. They had 45 minutes and obviously a lot of luck.

We have just beaten 2 very strong teams in Liverpool and Tottenham and the confidence is flowing through the team. Also considering that a 4 goal deficit is seen as an impossible feat against a very strong AC Milan side, Arsenal really have nothing to lose going into this tie. If we end up conceding 3 goals on the night, hardluck, but if we can put in 4 goals up the other end, we won't feel so bad because we would have tried. If we go with our reserve team, then get licked 4-1, I think the damage will be greater both to our pride and to our future challenges.

We definitely will need a lot of effort from everybody and a lot of luck. If we get an early goal or two without reply from Milan, then I think we stand a chance because they will be shaken. so how does the boss set up his team, bearing in mind the injuries we have?

Wenger: This is how we dismantle AC Milan

Rosicky is a doubt for the game. Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby, Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin are out. That leaves us very light in midfield.

The boss says he is tempted to change formation. Heh? He must change formation for this game, not still be thinking about changing formation. Arsenal really must go for broke. We cannot allow AC Milan to get comfortable at all during the 90 minutes. They will be looking for a crucial early away goal which will really kill the tie.


So, Arsene Wenger must really play with 5 attacking players from kick off: RVP, Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Chamakh and Oxlade-Chamberlain or Rosicky.

If I was the manager, and thankfully I am not, I would with the following formation:

                        Szczesny
Sagna     Koscielny    Vermaelen   Gibbs
                          Song            
Walcott        Rosiky/Chamberlain   Gervinho
                 Chamakh     Van Persie

The wingers need to whip early crosses into the box for Chamakh. He can head the ball or hold it  up and set up shooting chances for Van Persie's lethal left foot. Gervinho and Theo really need to make the pitch wide so that RVP and Chamakh have space to operate. And when we draw the Milanese wide, Vermaelen and Rosicky should be making runs through the centre in support of the attack. We must press Milan high up the pitch but  be wary of the counter-attack. Our pace, if used intelligently, should manage that threat.

Song: Boss says you must score 2 goals

So, really, the only thing I would say to the boys is to go out there and attack Milan with all they have: Shoot on sight. Whip balls into the box. Play quick one-twos to get between them. Dribble in their 18 yard box and hope they foul you for a penalty. Move around- look for space and shooting opportunities. And when we lose the ball, run back to defend and force them to give us the ball back quickly then start all over again.

Easier said than done...

The crowd will also be very important. If we cheer the boys on for 90 minutes, pressurise the referee, jeer and boo the Milanese... who knows...

Remember, we have nothing to lose!!!

Come on Arsenal!!!!