Arsenal vs AC Milan: What to expect from Europa League opponents

Arsenal is in turmoil, but they face a tough opponent in the Europa League this Thursday. How have AC Milan been faring this season and what can Arsenal expect from them tactically?

Arsenal is “in the midst of a genuine crisis.” It’s real this time; it’s genuine, unlike the countless other crises. Still, Arsenal has something to play for, even in this hopeless season. But, they will have to pick themselves up, because AC Milan provides a sizable challenge.

Last time Arsenal faced AC Milan it was in the Champions League Round of 16 six years ago. Both teams have fallen since then. The last time AC Milan qualified for the Champions League was during the 2013-14 season.

In an attempt to challenge for Champions League qualification again, AC Milan spent big in the summer. They spent a total of £175.05M on Leonardo Bonucci, André Silva, Hakan Calhanoglu and many more, per Transfermarkt.

Related Story: Arsenal vs Brighton Player Ratings

Under Vincenzo Montella, looking like a side lacking cohesiveness and chemistry, they had a rough start to the season. Montella set Milan up in a back-three, as he believed it would suit Bonucci. They were seventh in the Serie A when they decided to fire Montella and promote Gennaro Gattuso from Milan Primavera.

Not demonstrably better off, they sit sixth in Serie A currently, but they have hit a bout of good form and positive results. Their last loss came in December against Atalanta, and since then they have won 10 of their last 13 matches in all competitions. Gattuso has given a team of individuals a cohesive identity.

AC Milan without the ball

Gattuso has made AC Milan competitive and combative, a lot like how he was during his playing days. They play with diligence and skill all over the pitch and their shift to a back-four has been very successful.

They are comfortable conceding possession because Gattuso has made them extremely organized defensively, as they press strategically and in unison.

Against Roma, they pressed and clogged the centre of the pitch not allowing Roma’s centre-backs the time to spot a pass into midfield. This forces the ball out wide to the full-backs. They allowed Roma to progress up the field on the wings, but still conceded little space to operate. Their defensive tactics result in inaccurate crosses from wide into an area dominated by two towering centre-backs, Bonucci and his partner Alessio Romagnoli, which yielded little success for Roma.

Milan ushering Roma out wide and forcing a poor cross, something they did throughout the game.

The move to the back-four has allowed Milan to streamline their starting eleven. With two great centre-backs, it was unnecessary to play a third centre-back alongside them. Either side of Bonucci and Romagnoli now are former Arsenal transfer target Ricardo Rodriguez and Davide Calabria. Both full-backs have been in great form lately, each receiving a Man of the Match honor in one of Milan’s last three games, per WhoScored.

Just a little example of Bonucci high soccer IQ:

AC Milan with the ball

Milan can play competently in a variety of ways. Against teams where Milan have more possession, they can keep the ball with little struggle. Against teams that prefer to attack, they can sit back and soak up the pressure, and attack on the counter when the opportunity appears.

Their players are all comfortable on the ball, even their centre-backs and goalkeeper. They marry a great combination of small and long passes in their build-up play, which keeps the opposing team on its heels–something Arsenal doesn’t do enough. Solid in possession, Milan can pass the ball in their own end comfortably and attack when they desire. They initiate the move forward with a switch of the ball to isolate the defending team’s full-back against Milan’s winger and overlapping full-back.

Here, they cycle the ball through the back and Suso switches the ball to start the attack:

And, a counter-attack initiated by a switch leading to a goal:

Dangerous players: Bonaventura and Suso

Milan employs an egalitarian team ethos, which doesn’t rely on singular talents to succeed. Still, they have players within the system that shine in their role.

Giacomo Bonaventura is the type of player I see doing a lot of damage against Arsenal. He is a box-to-box midfielder that is full of running and has a tendency to arrive late into the opposing penalty-area, like Aaron Ramsey and like Bonaventura did against Sampdoria in the example above, to capitalize on vacant space. Arsenal’s midfielders aren’t always the most willing trackers, so I can see Bonaventura slipping into Arsenal’s box unnoticed on occasion.

On the right-wing, they have Suso. A former Liverpool youth player, Suso has the skill and passing range to hurt Arsenal if given enough space. He is a left-footed player on the right-wing, like Bernardo Silva, who can cut inside to take a shot on goal. Sead Kolasinac had trouble against Bernardo last week, so Arsenal should be wary of leaving Kolasinac 1-v-1 with Suso too often.

Suso skill against Sampdoria.

What does Arsenal do?

Arsenal has to raise their general quality if they want to compete on Thursday. That is first and foremost. No tactical plan will succeed if Arsenal plays as poorly as they have during this losing streak.

On the evidence I have provided, Arsenal looks destined for another poor result, especially in an away fixture. But, Arsenal does have the more talented players.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Brighton

Away from home at the San Siro, Arsenal should set-up to defend and attack on the counter. Milan plays well as a team but lacks the nous to break down a solid unit. Arsenal with their talent is able to take advantage of counter-attacking opportunities if they come, but even if the opportunities don’t come, they can take a draw to the Emirates where they are marketably better. Milan is a good team that is in good form; however, they are not unbeatable.