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Europa League: Arsenal travel to Italian giants AC Milan in Round of 16

By Ashley Anthony

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: A dejected looking Petr Cech of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at Amex Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: A dejected looking Petr Cech of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at Amex Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Another test for the man failing his grades as a manager comes later this evening. This has to be one of the most important games in Wenger’s latter years as Arsenal’s manager.

Ironically enough, this game features two teams who’ve had similar success in recent years. One team changed their wealth ahead of the clash and the other, giving their wealth to the poor.

The biggest distinction between the two, one club has been liberated by a new manager and are racking up the results. While the other team, cries, kicks, and screams for the same fate as their opponents, in wanting a new man to take the helm.

This is where a new era meets a fossil generation – which the new era is favourites by a unanimous decision. If this alone was not enough for the Gunners to realise they in need of a new mojo – then Lord alone knows.

Arsenal and their poor preparation on route to Milan

Wenger’s last match in the competition sets a low tone for the travelling team. They managed to lose the return leg at the Emirates, to a team little knew about before they took on the London club.

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Since their last victory, which was when they beat Everton by a four-goal margin, Arsenal has failed to collect any points and failed at the best chance to win silverware this season.

They’ve also managed to lose any chance of making top four, before the season concludes. Throughout these few fixtures, Wenger’s man were unable to stop 10 goals and only managed to score two of their own.

This run of form will not grant them any place in the last eight, and lets face it – who deserves a place in the last eight, while playing this putrid.

What adds to Arsenal’s poor behaviour – they will be without first-choice players, Bellerin, Monreal, and Lacazette. All of them have been ruled out injured.

Arsenal’s last eight away fixtures: 1W; 2D; 5L 

AC Milan is the team to beat in this clash

Long has it been since Milan went into a game being the best team. What a turn around in form they’ve experienced subsequently to Gattuso inclusion.

He has managed while travelling at a 100 miles per hour – an unbeaten run of 13 games. In recent weeks, Gattuso’s AC men have not conceding in 524 minutes. That’s almost a total of seven encounters without allowing their opponents in on goal.

The Gunners have only scored two goals in 360 minutes – put that two eye-catching stats together, who’s looking likely to take the first leg in the Round of 16?

Yeah, you guessed it!

The Rossoneris also brag youngster, Patrick Cutrone. A player whose come up through the academy and has now shown up seven times, in the last eleven games with goals.

He, plus the likes of Suso, Bonucci, and Calhanoglu are some of the big names taking part later this evening. These qualities, takes the game a bit out of Wenger’s reach.

Match time: 18:00 GMT; 20:00 CAT; 13:00 EST
Score prediction: AC Milan 2-0 Arsenal
Venue: San Siro Stadium

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