Match Preview:
So, after its brief hiatus, Champions League football returns as Arsenal travel to the San Siro to face AC Milan in this enticing knock out tie, which is, on paper, the match up of the Round of 16. This match is in some ways, the clash of the opposites: Milan forever an ageing side, renowned for their defensive strength and Arsenal forever a young side, known for attacking football.
Both sides have suffered hiccups lately, and both sides registered come from behind wins against tricky opponents in the weekend.
Formation Match up:
Milan:
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| From footballuser.com |
AC Milan under Massililiano Allegri deploy a 4-3-1-2 formation. They stifle the opposition in the midfield with their numbers and tend to play very narrow. They rely on Abate and Robinho for providing width, which is not their forte.
Milan also rely usually on individual skill of the forwards for goals, though Clarence Seedorf could be a danger man if he is allowed space to make passes for the forwards.
Arsenal:
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| From footballuser.com |
Arsenal on the other hand, have incorporated more wing play in their system this season. We now have direct, fact and pacy wingers in Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho and Arshavin in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-1-3 system. This has led to them creating countless chances for the captain Robin van Persie.
Mikel Arteta remains the key for Arsenal's midfield. Without him, Arsenal have really struggled to make use of and even hold on to the ball. He does the job of ticking the midfield and linking up play masterfully.
Advantage areas:
For Milan:
Milan normally enjoy having midfield advantage of 4 vs 3 when playing against a 4-3-3 side. They dominate the possession and crowd out the narrow midfield area.
For Arsenal:
Arsenal would have a big advantage down the wings when playing against Milan. The wingers would have a field day and if the Arsenal full backs provide attacking help, Arsenal would be deadly from wide areas.
BUT, ARSENE WENGER HAS MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STARTING LINE UP TONIGHT by playing BOTH Ramsey and Rosicky. This makes a big difference to the above mentioned tactics as Arsenal will look to match Milan's four man midfield.
Key Milan Players:
Ibrahimovic
van Bommel
Thiago Silva
Key Arsenal Players:
Vermaelen/Koscielny
Arteta
van Persie
Strategy:
Milan are likely to be cautious and will look to avoid conceding the away goal. For Arsenal, it will be the opposite as we look for the aforementioned away goal. Still,it looks like a cat and mouse affair is on the cards as both managers are looking to play safe and see out the opposition.
As an aside, the Boss is unhappy with the state of the San Siro pitch. A tactical move by Milan to nullify the Arsenal wingers? It remains to be seen.
Whatever the result may be, this tie does looks like it will go all the way to the return leg in two weeks time.
COME ON ARSENAL!!!
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