The Rossoneri looking to turn their season around after beating Udinese over the weekend; the Gunners hoping to gift Thierry Henry a victory in his last match
A.C Milan will host Arsenal in the first-leg of the last 16 round of UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, February 15, at 19.45 GMT.
Milan have not been in the consistent of forms of late, having won just two of their last five matches in all competitions. On the other hand, the Gunners have been performing exceedingly well, winning convincingly in four of their
last five matches.
A.C Milan
Massimiliano Allegri’s men would be looking to make their home advantage count by securing a win in the first-leg against Arsene Wenger’s side. The Rossoneri come into this match on the back of a confidence boosting win over Udinese
in the Serie A.
The Italian Champions finished runners-up behind http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 in the Group H. The Diavolo did not have the best of the group stages, as they won only two of their six matches, amassing nine points in the end.
A.C Milan definitely need to improve on this record if they want to avoid another last 16 round exit from the competition.
Arsenal
The Gunners have enjoyed an impressive run of form in the Premier League recently. Legendary striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thierry-Henry-c34918’s, return has reinvigorated the Gunner side.
Arsenal did exceedingly well in their group stages, as they topped the Group F, ahead of Olympique Marseille, Olympiacos and Borussia Dortmund. The North London side is still searching for their first piece of European silverware,
having come close to winning it in the 2005/06 season where they finished runners-up.
Arsene Wenger’s men knocked the Rossoneri out of the competition in 2008, as they defeated them by 2-0 at San Siro and played a goalless stalemate at the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
AC Milan
The hosts have some good news on the injury front, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Abbiati-c9046 is also expected to return to the starting
line-up.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029 will be welcomed back in the team, as his three-match been is only applicable to domestic competitions.
Probable starting XI: Amelia, Abate, Nesta, Silva, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Boateng, Nocerino, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robinho-c31382, Ibrahimovic.
Arsenal
The Gunners have been dealt with a huge blow ahead of the game, as they will definitely be without the services of German defender, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Johan-Djourou-c18779 is expected to replace the centre-back.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 is expected to be given the nod ahead of Tomas Rosicky, with Thierry Henry likely to start from the bench. It would most probably be a three-pronged attack with in-form, Robin Van Persie leading the charge for the
Gunners.
Probable XI: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Chamberlain, Van Persie.
Players to watch
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan)
The Swede needs to give in a match winning performance, and divert his attention from all the recent controversies. The Arsenal defence will have their hands full if Ibrahimovic decides to turn on the style.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 (Arsenal)
Van Persie has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 28 goals from 32 appearances in all competitions so far. If http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 are to have any chance of stealing a victory at San Siro, they need their flying Dutchman to make
his presence count.
Prediction:
The game is likely to be decided in the midfield battle. Arsenal have young and inexperienced legs in the midfield department, whereas, Milan are equipped with seasoned players such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Clarence-Seedorf-c9275 and Massimo
Ambrosini. The Rossoneri’s experience could hand them a win in a close fought contest.
Verdict 2-1
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