Ways to beat Milan: ** Use the pace - The fullbacks should be vulnerable to Theo & Oxo using pace. Balls in behind probably won't work as the defense will likely be sitting deep, though a diagonal ball between the full-back and centre-back for them to run onto could prove very valuable. ** Mark Ibra out of the game - Probably with Koscielny, who is a great man-marker. Hope he doesn't pick up an early Yellow, and use him to prevent Ibra from being a threat. ** Keep the Ball - Monopolise possession, frustrate Milan, get the crowd against them, and use that frustration to find gaps. ** Play high-tempo. Italy is a much slower league, and some of the players are older, though not as many as in previous years. High tempo pass-move-pass-move forcing Milan to close the ball down should tire out some of their older legs by 70ish mins and allow Arsenal an advantage in the closing stages.
Pretty much this and as long as we make no silly errors at the back, we should do very well. There are just two potential weaknesses in our squad for todays game, leftback (Gibbs) and Ramsey. Gibbs might struggle on his return and out of our back four, could potentially make an error. I would instruct OXO/Song to double up and help Gibbs on this regard. The second would be Ramsey. I would have Rosicky over Ramsey at the moment as he balances out our midield better and we seem to keep possession better. But then again, they could both do well and star for us It could be a Walcott and OXO show, unless Arsene decides to play Arshavin of course.....
If our team can retain focus after going behind I think we'll get it back. Milan will score first but as they tire we'll get one back.
Im not so sure we'll struggle. I think only a mistake from us will be the main problem. We have the players to give them problems. Even without Fabs, we should keep good possession. My fear is whether Ramsey will keep the ball as well as Rosicky.
Agree with this. I'm hoping Rosicky starts, and Oxo. Oxo can rest at the weekend as Gervinho is back - that games is gona be tough. Fast turn around from a game in Italy and almost all of the same team will play. There's real lack of depth in this Arsenal team right now!!
We have enough firepower to score a goal i think. We are playing well and have RVP on top form. OXO is looking dangerous and Walcott will have something to prove. If Milan fail to pick up Walcott properly then we will come out with a very favourable result. Is it me or is OXO playing some very good through-balls already? He seems to be assisting Walcott quite well. Maybe it's his Southampton academy days of playing direct....
I heard Wenger mention it last night and thought 'He's right, but he'll get slated for saying it'. We managed to get a win on a cabbage patch at Sunderland, so we know we can cope with it. Doesn't really help our passing game though...
Everyone on twitter is talking about the state of the pitch. Its really bad on the sides because they just relaid it on Monday. Hope we get through without any injuries.
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Via Henry Winter and Sam Wallace on Twitter.
Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, Ramsey, Van Persie. No AOC. I doubted Arsene playing both AOC and Gibbs on the same wing against Milan. Rosicky can cover for Gibbs on the left. We have a good bench. AOC,Arshavin and Henry can be used. Three good attacking players.
I told you he wouldn't start with Oxo... but I'm surprised he didn't play Arshavin on the wing instead. Pace will be the key to winning this.... unless he has a different game plan. Actually, now I see why he put Rosicky there... as you said, to cover for Gibbs... Arshavin has made a hack of getting back and doing well covering.
