Arsene Wenger admits AC Milan are favourites to qualify for the Champions League quarterfinals at Arsenal’s expense but he remains confident his side can defy the odds in the San Siro.
The Gunners were frustrated as Milan’s aging maestros gave a defensive masterclass in Wednesday’s goalless last-16, first-leg draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger’s team now face the daunting prospect of needing at least a score-draw against the reigning European champions in the return next month.
That proved beyond Manchester United when they crashed out against Milan in the semifinals last season and it will take a herculean effort from Arsenal to emerge unscathed from one of the game’s most intimidating arenas.
Although Wenger knows Carlo Ancelotti’s old stagers have the advantage, the French coach insisted the way his side dominated for long periods was sufficient reason to be confident of success in Italy.
”They will start as favourites but we can deal with that,” Wenger said. ”With the experience I have I can say 0-0 at home is not a bad result. Of course I didn’t dream of 0-0 but overall not to concede a goal is not bad.
”I feel we can play at a high tempo for 90 minutes, They will have to come out in the second leg. They didn’t create any chances and defensively we were very good.”
Milan showed against United last season how devastating they can be on their day, but Wenger is more concerned about playing on the San Siro’s poor-quality pitch than dealing with fired-up opponents.
”It promises a very interesting game for the second leg. Unfortunately we cannot transfer our pitch to the San Siro,” he said.
”The pitch will not be of the quality we had here. I hope the game will not suffer from it too much.”
The likely absence of Côte d’Ivoire centre-back Kolo Toure after he limped off with a calf injury will hardly help either.
”Kolo has a calf problem. From what I saw after the game he will be out for three or four weeks at least. It is a consequence of the African Nations Cup,” Wenger added.
After earning so many plaudits this season, here was the acid test for Arsenal.
Wenger could have few complaints about his side’s work-rate during a tense tie but it was their lack of composure at crucial moments which let them down.
After Paolo Maldini’s header was pushed away by Jens Lehmann, it was Arsenal who made all the running.
Their best chances came in the second half. Eduardo and Cesc Fabregas combined to set up Emmanuel Eboue, only for the Ivorian to drag his shot wide.
Emmanuel Adebayor had the the ball in the net moments later but he had strayed offside and the effort was ruled out.
Zeljko Kalac was playing with a dislocated finger but he showed no sign of being hindered as he brilliantly tipped over Eduardo’s rising strike.
Kalac saved from Fabregas again and Adebayor hit the bar in stoppage time as Milan held on.
Milan have never lost to an English team at the San Siro, but Ancelotti was keen to play down the favourites tag.
He insisted he needs the likes of Kaka, Clarence Seedorf, Alexandre Pato and Kalec — who all played despite carrying knocks — to be fully fit for the return. He will also hope Alessandro Nesta is available after he came off early in the second half.
”Arsenal played a very good game, proving everything we know. They are a great team with great players, great quality and a lot of determination,” Ancelotti said.
”The qualification is still in doubt. We have got a good result but we are not yet safe for the return match.
”We are not sure. Arsenal showed great quality, I’m sure they can do it in the return as well. We must improve our condition in the next 15 days.” – AFP
