AC Milan vs Arsenal: 5 point preview
In perhaps the most enticing Europa League clash lined-up in the last 16, AC Milan host old foes Arsenal at the San Siro in the first leg this Thursday. Although the winds of change have blown over both camps since the last time they met - in the last 16 of 2012 Champions League - the tie continues to carry arguably the same level of anticipation as it did six years back. And for reasons of its own.
The sides enter the match in contrasting vein of forms, while history has its own say, at least on paper. But as they say, matches aren't decided on paper and Milan and Arsenal both have serious dispositions about the competition, even though pundits don't see them as clear favorites.
Nevertheless, let's delve into some of the important issues ahead of the clash.
#1 Arsenal's confidence is at an all-time low
A run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions - including a pair of humiliating 3-0 losses on the trot to Manchester City - has knocked the daylights out of the Gunners. Whatever could possibly go wrong, has indeed gone wrong and clamors for Arsene Wenger's head have grown louder than ever.
The vision of empty seats towards the final few minutes of their match to the Skyblues last week is a testament to the growing resentment in the fanbase, and also to the problems brewing off the field, apart from just the ones on it.
So it wouldn't be wrong to suggest Arsenal are enduring one of their - if not the one - worst runs in the recent memory and the harder part is that they can't seem to do absolutely anything about it. This isn't the kind of state one would want to be in ahead of a crucial European tie, but Wenger's band of busted flushes have to deal with it regardless.