AC Milan v Arsenal – The key battles that could win us the game
There will be numerous individual battles between players tomorrow at the San Siro. These will be key when it comes to the final result as every player has a role in that Milan team and every Arsenal player must do their best to cancel their rival’s individual threat.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Thomas Vermaelan
Both of these athletes once played in the same Ajax team. Granted they were both relatively young but Vermaelan still remembers Ibrahimovic’s threat as he highlighted in his most recent interview. However, we must remember that Swede got the better of the Belgian as Ibrahimovic netted two for Barcelona the last time he played against Arsenal. Vermaelan will have to keep pace with Ibra at all times and along with Koscielny keep the space in-between tight. As well as having strength, the former-Juventus striker has also got speed and an abundance of technical ability. It is paramount that Vermaelan forces him back and overpowers him in Italy to nullify his threat.
Alex Song vs Kevin-Prince Boateng
Kevin-Prince Boateng has been somewhat of a revelation for Milan over the last couple of seasons. He is strong, has a good shot on him and is very confident, arrogant in fact. Song is a similar player. He has stepped up over the last two seasons and has become a regular for Arsenal. He exhibits strength and confidence on the ball as well as an eye for the perfect pass. Song will need to prioritise when to attack and when to defend perfectly tomorrow. He can’t afford to give Boateng space and time to double team our CB pairing with Ibrahimovic. The Cameroonian must break up the play and frustrate Milan and Boateng. He should also look to attack when possible as the away goal is extremely important in any Champions league tie.
Van Persie vs Thiago Silva
This will be for me, the key battle in this game from an Arsenal point of view. We need to score at the San Siro to give us a real good chance of progressing to the last 8. Thiago Silva for me at the moment is the best CB in the world. He is fast, brave, strong, great header and most importantly, a great reader of the game. Van Persie on the other hand is one of the best strikers in the world and his movement, pace, shot and reading of the game will test Silva to the limit. Van Persie will need to adopt the tactic of getting in the box for crosses to come from Walcott and Chamberlain. He won’t be able to pace Silva if he was to peel off him and hence you would leave that job to our pace merchants on the wing. Van Persie will also need to be involved in the midfield and link up with the likes of Ramsey and Arteta to create space and to frustrate the Milan players and supporters.
Walcott vs Antonini
This is where the game will be won for us. If Walcott can create space behind Antonini, we could go into the Emirates tie two goals up at least. It is a big ‘if’ however. Walcott will need to step and prove he has what it takes to win us games. He will open up Milan with his pace and it could lead to a lot of one on ones with their goalkeeper. Obviously he will need to keep his calm when in those situations. I feel they could be quite frequent in the first half if Milan come out and attack us. We have proved quite effective in the counter-attack and Walcott is instrumental to them.
There are a lot of on-field battles between players that will win us or lose us the game. Arsene will have to get the tactics right but most importantly the players will have to play to their best abilities if Arsenal are going to win this game.
Trackback: trackback from your own site.
COMMENTS GUIDELINES: ANY COMMENTS WITH SWEARING OR PERSONAL ABUSE WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT EXCEPTION: PLEASE DISCUSS THE SUBJECT IN A FREINDLY AND OBJECTIVE MANNER. SERIAL ABUSERS WILL BE BANNED. PLEASE BE NICE TO YOUR FELLOW GOONERS!
Will Kevin be fit to play? Ibra almost always scores against Arsenal, I think that will continue. Particularly with Per out, we’ll really struggle to contain him with his height, strength and class. Being realistic, I think the best we can hope for is a draw and to hit one or two away goals then do the business at home. We need to score though, away goals are vital as Ibra will probably score in both matches. He’s like Drogba, loves playing against Arsenal. Having said that, we do have an excellent record in Italy in recent seasons so a win wouldn’t be too unsurprising. I’m confident with a full squad would can beat them at home comfortably. If Gervinho is back I’d be playing him on the right with Ox on the left and bring Walcott on as an impact sub to run at a tiring defence. It is one of the more interesting Round of 16 ties this season, really could do either way..
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
22 
3
vermaleen’s not alone as koschielney is one of the best defender in the league this season and well what can we say about vermaleen, he’s the verminator. song’s a lot better than boetang, in fact not many better players around the world in defensive midfield. robin is the man at the moment and rip anyone apart, anything he touches turns to goals, think one of the most in form and effiecient goal scorers at the moment. as in case of theo, he’s gonna rip that left back and create chances. chambo is also in form at the moment. so bring it on milan.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
25 
3
Oddly enough, Walcott has a tendency to liven up for UEFA matches…I think we can expect a good performance from him. Those who say, “aw walcott is going to knob it up again because he’s in bad form” need to pull their pessimistic heads out of their pessimistic asses. ARSENAL FOR LIFE!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
34 
2
WE WILL WIN 3-1 TONIGHT!!!!
HENRY TO SCORE ASWELL!!!
ENJOY THE GAME!!!
OUR SEASON STARTS TONITE!!!AND WE GONA BRING IT ON!!!!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
34 
2
They have a lot of experienced, old heads compared to us which is worrying, and don’t concede many at home but I think our pace on the counter attack may net us an away goal, and I’m really looking to Walcott to put in a big performance. Ibrahimovic is having a great season and we should pay him some special attention. Worth looking out for perhaps is El Shaarawy, their Italy U21 striker who has scored in their last two matches but probably won’t start.I really think it is critical we score an away goal, as our defensive record means we are liable to concede one or two ourselves in the return. Milan should win, but fingers crossed Wenger will work some magic!
Rate this comment:
5 
4
Lets be reasonable. 1-1. Perfectly fine with me. As long as we hold milan at san siro.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
10 
7
Atsenal will win and put a 5 star performance
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
13 
3
o i can’t sleep……….is it kick off yet…?
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
18 
0
ibra’s height wasn’t mentioned which will get the best of us as mertesacker is injured. we need to be great on set pieces and our full backs cant let crosses come in to easily.
Rate this comment:
8 
0
Ibra has never scored in the knockout stages and that won’t change this time with kos and tv5 not allowing a goal when they have played together at cb. I expect are game to be won on the wings as most of our games have been won through there. It should be great, I see a 1-0 or maybe 2-0 to the arsenal!
(ADMIN COMMENT – Didn’t Ibrahimovich score twice against Arsenal in the knockout stages???)
Rate this comment:
4 
4
TV5 and KOS can definately take care of Ibrah…as long as we keep possession and Arteta and Rosicky keep our midfield ticking, we always have a chance, now it’s up to Theo and The Ox to be able to find the space with their movement to get behind the AC defense. I might sound childish and unrealistic but wouldn’t it be great to surprise anyone and have RVP start behind Henry in a Berkhamp type of roll with Theo and the Ox in a Pires and Lundberg style with Arteta and Song holding the midfield?
Rate this comment:
5 
2
I hope Rosicky starts ahead of Ramsey…. not because Ramsey is out of form but because we are playing against Milan… Rosicky has bag loads of experience which will help us….. he can push the team up to the penalty box singlehandedly with his passing and penetrative runs…. which will make things a lot easier for van Persie……
I am predicting a 2-1 win for Arsenal…..
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
12 
2
should be a cracking game!!…..don’t think Luca Antonini will play though at LB…Mesbah(the new January signing from Lecce) will undoubtedly slot in there tonight i think, who is a different kind a player altogether than LA…much more attack minded, doesn’t get caught out of position half as much (that wouldn’t be hard), got a serious left peg on him too, dangerous when delivering crosses into the box, if given space…might be a harder game for Theo than he what is expected…
Rate this comment:
2 
1
I think that we can clinch at least a point in milan. Though the above battles will be interesting, 3 things are pointing in our favour:
1- Milan lack a proper creative player, as seedorf is old and boateng is inconsistent.
2- Pato is just returning from injury and a 50-50 with vermalen could take him out of the game (if he plays)
3- Ibra and milan in general are not completely on top of their game, shown by their copa italia game against juve, with ibra getting sent off for a slap and the like.
If we perform, we can certainly push our into a result.
Rate this comment:
5 
0
Ramsey must start if we are to attack from the beginning..!! His energy will trouble the ac midfield where’s rosicky and henry wud be perfect to bring on for last 20min to keep the ball.. Gibbs comes in on the left with verm going inside is a no brainer.. As for our wings Walcott and ox start for sure..!!
Rate this comment:
1 
3
go arsenal go!
Rate this comment:
3 
0
Great analysis. I am not sure, however, that Allegri will give the nod to Antonini over Mesbah. I do believe this game will be won by the either Ibra and Silva or RVP and Vermaelen.
Rate this comment:
2 
0
*combination of either Ibra and Silva or RVP and Vermaelen
Rate this comment:
1 
0
Screw Milan, if i were an Arsenal player, I’d say, “bring it on!”
Why should we fear anything? WE have a world class team that can beat any multi trillian dollar team!
Kevin Prince Boateng is a punk and thats why Tottenham let him go. Lets shut this guy’s mouth.
We need to play a fast-paced game as Ibra likes holding the ball up to distribute to his team mates as well as score. Song and Verms will treat him with respect and shut him down.
C’MON u Gunners!
Rate this comment:
6 
1
I THINK THIS IS WHERE WALCOTT WILL BE KEY TONIGHT,
WITHOUT OUR LAST SEASON MIDFIELD(FABREGAS, WILSHERE) , WE’LL CONCENTRATE ON THE WINGS,
N I KNOW, IN BIG MATCHES, WALCOTT WILL STAND OUT AND DO HIS PART IN THE COUNTER…
CANT WAIT FOR TONIGHT, WICKED MATCH GONNA BE !
(all those who hated or said sell walcott, you’re wrong, each player has its part to play in the story) !
Rate this comment:
4 
0
coquellin shud play on the right and sagna on the left.
Rate this comment:
2 
0
What a cracker that will be,i expect arsenal to come out on top cuz we have a strong squad now.possible lineup;sczezny,sagna,kos,vt5,gibbs,rosicky,song,arteta,chambo,rvp,theo
Rate this comment:
1 
0
Get the positive result GUNNERS!! Doesn’t matter if it is an ugly win.
GO BOYS!!!!!!!
Rate this comment:
2 
0
Arsenal must hold it together defensively.. we need to give gibbs a chance and I think the Ox will shine tonight. Rosicky should start as opposed to Ramsey- he is a useful sub for attacking whereas Rosicky will hold the midfield. We need at least a goal so when we bring them back to the Emirates, we will know what to do. I hope we play like Arsenal of old and attack from the wings. I hope RVP is not too tired as he can shine. Henry to start on the bench and hopefully he can repeat what he done back in 2003!
Rate this comment:
1 
1
go gunners …… Play your hearts out
Rate this comment:
0 
0
C’mon you Gunners, stamp your mark on the San siro, TH12
to leave the cl in a bang too…
predicted score line:
Arsenal 3 – 1 ac milan
you heard it from me 1st fellow gunners
Rate this comment:
1 
0
Shiite 2-0 down, we screwed
Rate this comment:
0 
0
The game just finished.. When I saw Djoudjouie on the field.. thats one goal or even two to Milan yes two n he did..They targeted his side of the field. The defence is SOFT wait n wait n allow shots on goal..DUMB. Milan pressures the ball playing..They pressure n the Gunners just give it up.they wait n watch. Many Arsenal passes were 50/ 50 balls n some cases 55 / 45 Milan way, our players just dont go for these balls.The defence is unorganised why play the verminator on the left, he is a central defender..What a waste..WE need a defender who has authority..Samba is big n strong, MerSACKer should be terminated..A big mistake..Cut your losses, lose some money
but dont lose games with mistake buys.Djoudjou is the worst resigning in Arsenals history..Pathetic remeber Manure 8 Arsenal 2..Watch that game..Why WHY resign that useless, braindead ..waste of money..
Arsenal need two additional defenders the ones we got besides Vermalen , dont make the grade..A creative midfielder n a strong footed striker.. gervinho has no leg strength, quick n elusive..No power..We are in urgent need of an established striker with elusive skills, a player that will take on defences..Too much passing n passing, just strike the ball n maybe you will get a rebound. midfield was weak weak, what about giroud?? get some power players, not guys that can be pushed off the ball n players who dont defend stoutly..the comments above are a little sad.. Reality GUYS??? REALITY
Rate this comment:
2 
0