Milan, again!

The Gunners were handed quite a tough draw when they were paired with Serie A leaders AC Milan in the last sixteen of the Champions League competition. Many Gooners would be optimistic with Arsene Wenger's lads' chances of progressing further as trips to the fashion capital of the world had borne fruitful results in the past.

However victories over Milan (2-0) and their city rivals Internazionale (5-1) are part of of the past now, and as much as we like to see them repeated, it is going to be a totally new ball game comes February 2012.

The January transfer window would see a few changes in both squads even though Arsene already stated that he would not go into it unless there is a super deal for The Gunners. As always, I would consider ourselves as the underdogs when coming face to face with clubs such as Milan.

Having won the continent's biggest prize and the world title, Milan are bigger than Arsenal in that sense but I am sure Arsene's players would be able to match the Rossoneri on the pitch to ensure a good result to bring back to London.

What I will be praying for is our best players will be able to stay injury free and those who have not been able to perform at their best will be able to do so.

But this will be for a not so distant future. The immediate one will be the trip to Eastlands this Sunday, which would not be easy. Despite our good performance against City in the Carling Cup, it is going to be a different ball game this weekend, especially after they were beaten for the first time in the Premier League this season at Chelsea last week.

Another clean sheet by Wos Szczesny is most welcomed and for Theo Walcott to start scoring for fun would be even better. Again, we will go onto the pitch as underdogs again given our poor results over there in recent season even though a repeat of last season 3-0 win would see me jumping joyously around.

Of course two of the goalscorers for us that day are no longer with us with one is likely to play some part in plotting our downfall this Sunday. However, another goalscorer Alex Song has developed into a more complete player in recent time with wonderful assists apart from his usual role as a midfield destroyer.

It will be an interesting match and I am hoping, as well all Gooners around the world for a positive result from the trip to Manchester.

COYG!


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