Arsenal v Milan preview

Watch Arsenal v Milan live on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm on Wednesday

By James Dall   Last updated: 20th February 2008

Mathieu Flamini Cesc Fabregas Arsenal

Flamini and Cesc Fabregas: Key men

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Arsenal go in search of the perfect tonic for repression as they look to fill their minds with heady success against Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 encounter.

The Gunners endured a harrowing FA Cup exit on Saturday as they were taunted 4-0 by arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The result was hardly ideal preparation for Wednesday's clash against the current Champions League holders, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has promised fans that his Premier League table-toppers will respond with gusto.

Carlo Ancelotti's Milan, meanwhile, are stuttering in Serie A as they lie just fifth in the table, recording 10 league triumphs in 23 outings.

Wary

But Wenger's men should be wary of their Italian opponents, who have successfully negotiated this stage of the competition in all four seasons since it was introduced in 2003.

The French tactician is boosted by the return of key personnel, with Gael Clichy, Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor all available to start.

Clichy will slot into his customary left-back position; while Flamini's gutsy nature sets up an intriguing contest with Milan's very own belligerent midfielder, Gennaro Gattuso.

Wenger is likely to mull over who to partner the seemingly unstoppable Adebayor, who has already hit the back of the net 22 times this season, with Eduardo da Silva his most likely cohort; however a lone role for the Togo international is a possibility.

Bacary Sagna, Denilson and Theo Walcott are also back after injury, but Manuel Almunia is still out with a virus so Jens Lehmann will continue to deputise while long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Robin van Persie (thigh) and Abou Diaby (calf) remain sidelined.

Fiori debut

Ancelotti looks set to be forced to hand 38-year-old shot-stopper Valerio Fiori his Champions League debut and first start in eight seasons as Dida has been ruled out with a back injury while Zeljko Kalac is struggling with a dislocated finger.

Promising Brazilian striker Pato, 18, has shrugged off an ankle knock, though, and should feature after impressing in recent weeks with four goals in six outings, but Ronaldo is out for the season after he suffered a serious knee injury last week.