AC Milan vs Arsenal preview - Wenger's not for wasting time
Posted Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by PA
Arsene Wenger claims he would not waste his time if he did not believe Arsenal can beat AC Milan and go on to win the Champions League.
The Rossoneri currently lead Juventus at the top of Serie A, with Massimiliano Allegri's men looking to make up for last season's defeat at the same stage of the competition to Tottenham by dumping the Gunners out of Europe.
Arsenal go into the first leg of their last 16 tie on the back of successive Barclays Premier League wins which have propelled them back up into the top four.
Wenger, whose side recorded a famous 2-0 win on their last visit to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza against the then holders four seasons ago, maintains the Gunners mean business.
"If I would think we have no chance to win the game I would stay at home. I don't like to waste my time," the Arsenal manager declared.
"I believe what makes football interesting is that you can win everywhere.
"We have shown we can win everywhere and I have full confidence in this team that we can do it."
"We will try to play our game. Milan are a good side. We think we are a good side.
"We will attack, they certainly will as well. So it should be a good game."
Wenger accepts Arsenal are in a defining period of their campaign, with an FA Cup fifth round tie at Sunderland following on Sunday.
He continued: "We are concentrated on every game we play. We do not choose the games.
"We are Arsenal Football Club and we just try to win the next game.
"Is it FA Cup, Champions League or Championship? I believe it is important we are strong everywhere."
Wenger is expected to field an attacking side which will probably include livewire England under-21 international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri knows tomorrow's match up will be as big a test as the Spurs clash, but will have his Serie A leaders well prepared to combat Arsenal's flowing game.
"Technically we have to play well and know that there are certain errors [from last season against Tottenham] which ultimately should not be repeated," the AC Milan manager told a news conference.
"Last year we made one mistake late against Tottenham, on Wednesday we have great patience and careful, otherwise you complicate everything.
"In the second match against Tottenham, we deserved to win and go through."
Photos
More»Bitter Espanyol turn sprinklers on as rivals Barcelona celebrate title
Friday May 16 2025Meet stunning model Sabine Jemeljanova
Friday May 16 2025
Your Say