Milan have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Stephan El Shaarawy in a trident attack against Robin van Persie’s Arsenal tonight.
Milan have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Stephan El Shaarawy in a trident attack against Robin van Persie’s Arsenal tonight.
The Rossoneri may well have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals after their 4-0 first leg victory, but must seal the deal at the Emirates this evening.
As always, there is a huge injury crisis for Massimiliano Allegri to deal with, as he is without Clarence Seedorf, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Maxi Lopez, Alexandre Pato, Alessandro Nesta, Alexander Merkel, Antonio Cassano and Gennaro Gattuso.
Alberto Aquilani returned to the squad this week, but is still a long way off full fitness.
Ibrahimovic again starts in attack with support from Robinho.
Philippe Mexes plays at centre-back, because his three-match ban only applies to Serie A, and is joined in defence by Djamel Mesbah.
It’s a sign of the problems Allegri has picking a team that there are two goalkeepers and a youth team striker on the bench.
Arsenal need to win 4-0 to force extra time, but if Milan get an away goal, they’ll have to score six in order to qualify.
Arsene Wenger must do without Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun, Andre Santos, Sebastien Squillaci, Aaron Ramsey, Johan Djorou, Francis Coquelin, Per Mertesacker and Jack Wilshere.
Kieran Gibbs and Tomas Rosicky had late fitness tests, but are both in the starting XI along with Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Song, Rosicky; Walcott, Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain; van Persie
Arsenal bench: Fabianski, Djourou, Jenkinson, Miquel, Ozyakup, Park Ju-Young, Chamakh
Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Thiago Silva, Mexes, Mesbah; Nocerino, Van Bommel, Emanuelson; Robinho, Ibrahimovic, El Shaarawy
Milan bench: Amelia, Roma, Zambrotta, Bonera, Yepes, Aquilani, Ganz