Arsenal Vs AC Milan: Previewing the opposition

Arsenal travel to Milan to face AC Milan in the last-16 Europa League tie on Thursday. Here is everything you need to know about the surging Italian giants — it’s not good news… at all.

In the only competition that Arsenal can win, they must travel to the somewhat intimidating San Siro to face the only more intimidating Gennaro Gatusso and his invigorated AC Milan.

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As soon as the draw was made, it always set up to be an intriguing tie. Since that time, the Gunners have toiled to four successive losses, while Milan are yet to lose. And that is indicative of the context of this fixture: One team that is begging for change; one team that is flourishing exactly because of change.

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Milan, after refreshing their squad with a swathe of new additions in the summer that totalled £200 million, sacked their manager, Vincenzo Montella, in November. Things were not proceeding as expected for new owner Li Yonghong, who demanded Champions League qualification as the reward for the money that he had ploughed into the club. The man they brought in to revitalise their campaign, Gennaro Gattuso, has done a better job than any could have imagined.

In true Italian fashion, the dogged, gritty, pitbull-type defensive midfielder started with the defence. Leonardo Bonnuci, signed from Juventus, and Alessio Romagnoli anchor a stifling defence that has not conceded a goal in over ten hours of football. With Gigio Donnarumma, the superlative young goalkeeper behind them, it is an impregnable wall built on the traditions of Italian football.

That sturdy foundation has led to a 13-game unbeaten run for Milan, winning five of their last six games — the sixth was against Lazio in the Coppa Italia, which they eventually won on penalties. They were due to play Fiorentina at the weekend, but with the tragic passing of Davide Astori, the match was postponed.

Nevertheless, this is a sharp, confident — Milan Sporting Director, Massimiliano Mirabelli, apologised on Arsenal’s behalf when the draw was made — and now well-rested team, who are resolute, resilient and dangerous, especially in the comforts of their own home. Contrast that to the lingering, lacklustre, dejection of their visitors, and it is easy to see only one winner.

The disparity between these two teams comes from their managers: A young, hungry, enthusiastic, humble Gattuso; a feeble, sheltered, stubborn and nigh-on stupid Wenger. Their teams are built in their image.

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For Arsenal, this is a far more difficult draw now than when it was made. Gattuso has exponentially improved his team. They are fitter. They are more organised. They are harder. They are sharper. And they are the favourites. It’s not difficult to see why.