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Young guns face test of nerve
19/02/2008 09:00 - (SA)
London - Arsene Wenger knows Arsenal are hurting mentally and physically but he is confident his side will rise to the occasion in Wednesday's Champions League tie against AC Milan.
The Gunners could be forgiven for feeling sorry for themselves as they lick their wounds after Sunday's FA Cup thrashing at Manchester United.
Wenger was without a host of key players including Tomas Rosicky, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Robin van Persie and Manuel Almunia at Old Trafford, while Emmanuel Adebayor and Mathieu Flamini were rested with the Milan game in mind.
But United took full advantage of the chance to embarrass their title rivals, leaving Wenger to calculate the damage.
Adebayor, Flamini and Almunia should feature when the Champions League holders arrive at the Emirates Stadium.
But taking on a resolute, battle-hardened team as Milan is not an easy task after such a chastening defeat.
'Targets are big'
Wenger is keeping his fingers crossed that the importance of the last 16 first leg clash will provide the perfect motivation.
"The targets are so big for us that you don't feel sorry for yourself," he said.
"We have a massive game in front of us on Wednesday night and I feel the immensity of the game makes you forget your disappointment.
"What we have learnt is that that sort of performance will not be good enough against Milan.
"We have to bounce back quickly from our disappointment. We will need to be at our best.
"The players have given me so much recently but unfortunately we were not up to the level required against United. At least we did not suffer any more injuries."
If Arsenal are to get back on track they will have to find a way to stop Kaka. The Brazilian is Milan's creative fulcrum and Wenger knows his astute passing and clinical finishing can change a game in a flash.
"Kaka made the difference last year in this competition. He scored 10 goals in 11 games," Wenger said.
'Counter-attacking'
"He's the guy who can dominate a situation and in 10 seconds get to the other side of the box and score a goal.
"We need to be more cautious in the centre than we usually are. He's especially dangerous at counter-attacking. I don't know if I'll use Gilberto for him."
Milan's lacklustre league form has led many critics to dismiss the Rossoneri as an aging team on the slide.
But they were no better than average in Serie A last season and that didn't stop them winning the Champions League for the seventh time.
Although they lie fifth in the league, a six-match unbeaten run has lifted spirits around the club's Milanello training base and there is a growing belief that Arsenal can be overcome.
The main obstacle to their progress is a goalkeeping crisis which could force Ancelotti to give Valerio Fiori only his second Milan appearance in eight years.
First choice keeper Dida has been ruled out with a back problem sustained during half-time of his side's goalless draw at Parma.
As if that wasn't bad enough Zeljko Kalac is doubtful after dislocating a finger in training on Sunday. The Australian will travel to London but is far from certain to start.
On top of that, Ancelotti is sweating over Clarence Seedorf's ankle injury, although he will have Brazilian prodigy Alexandre Pato available after his ankle problem.
With Ronaldo out injured, the burden of leading Milan's attack will fall on Alberto Gilardino's shoulders.
The Italy striker is well aware his side will have to produce a near-perfect performance to return to the San Siro with the tie in their control.
"We must play a great game," admitted Gilardino. "This is a very important encounter for us and we are training well to arrive to the game in the best possible mental and physical form in order to play the perfect game."
- AFP
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