Alan Smith says Arsenal can get the better of AC Milan - but only if they keep things tight at the back.
Influence of Szczesny will be key for Gunners, says Smith
A tough but winnable tie.
That's Alan Smith's take on Arsenal's Champions League last 16 clash after they were paired with Serie A giants AC Milan, winners of the European Cup on seven occasions.
Talking to
Sky Sports News HD, the ex-Gunners striker said that the Londoners were handed the most difficult task during Friday's draw.
But he reckons their attack - spearheaded by the in-form Robin van Persie - will be able to cause the Rossoneri significant problems when they lock horns in February.
Plus, he thinks Arsene Wenger's team will take confidence from having "proper goalkeeper" Wojciech Szczesny marshalling things from the back.
Hard
On the two-legged contest, Smith said: "The hardest team Arsenal could have picked - but I don't think Milan are the team they were.
"They've got fantastic players; (Zlatan) Ibramovic, who scored for Barcelona at the Emirates, can cause problems, Robinho, (Alexandre) Pato, but I think Arsenal can score goals against them.
"It's about how Arsenal defend," he added. "Milan scored four goals against Barcelona in the group stages and they are capable of doing that against the top teams.
"But one of the real bonuses for Arsenal is having a proper goalkeeper in Szczesny, which they haven't had in the last few years. He spreads confidence across the back four."
Whacking
Former England boss Terry Venables is also upbeat about Arsenal's chances of progression, saying the Gunners - who toppled Milan in the last-16 stage during the 2007/08 competition - will play a brisk, dogged style that Massimo Allegri's side won't find comfortable.
"I always fancy (English clubs') chances against Italian teams," said Venables. "They used to be so strong at defending and you couldn't get anything. But their game has slowed up now and they don't like the way we get at them.
"If you speak to players from Italian teams they say: 'What we don't like about the British is that they are like a dog with a bone, they keep whacking at your legs and stop you playing'.
"I don't think they'll enjoy it and it's going to be a good game for Arsenal."
