It is less than an hour until kick off and I’m excited. I’m nervous too but more excited than nervous. Sagna and Clichy are back and this is the best news we could have hoped for as a lot of our problems that saw us suffer a heavy defeat to Manchester United at the weekend stemmed from our substitute full backs. In addition we will see Flamini and Adebayor return. The impact of those additions cannot be underestimated and tonight we will once again see the real Arsenal.
Milan will be tough. Forget their domestic form. They suffered the same problem last season but were a real beast to be reckoned with when it came to the Champion’s League. They destroyed Manchester United. Not to mention that they have recently been boosted by the arrival of Alexandre Pato (was not given the green light to play until he reached 18.) Pato is a very good player and has made an immediate impact. Then do not forget Gattuso, Kaka, Pirlo, Nesta, Inzaghi, Seedorf and co. Milan have their own reasons to be worried - Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, William Gallas, Mathieu Flamini, Cesc Fabregas, Aliaksandr Hleb, Emmanuel Adebayor and Eduardo. Note how many players I mentioned. No player is far above the rest, no not even Fabregas, who I would argue has not been our best player this season.
Milan should be worried about Adebayor in the form that he is in. He is a striker who is difficult to defend against, powerful and with pace. He is in form and was rested at the weekend. He will be raring to go. The others that played will be motivated to come back. We have shown great bouncebackability before and we will do so again.
Where the goalkeepers are concerned Kalac is between the sticks for Milan, despite rumors of their third choice having to step in. Lehmann will play for us and has a point to prove. He has yet to be tested like Almunia has but he was also once an AC Milan player who never made the grade.
Wenger has said the first leg is often decisive mentally. The Champion’s League is strange in that as a home team you have to be cautious as away goals count for more. Half the battle is won if you keep a clean sheet at home. If Arsenal turn up this is achievable but Milan scoring is also quite possible as they have many players who can find the net, match winners who shine on an occasion like this one.
Just a win will not do tonight. Recently we have not been up to scratch. Tonight is the time to step it up, to make a statement to the rest of Europe. Our Champion’s League trophy is coming, let’s win it in 2008.
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