Ancelotti wary of Arsenal ability

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti knows the UEFA Champions League holders will have their credentials sorely tested against Arsenal FC in the first knockout round – especially as the Gunners' most recent trip to their stadium resulted in a 5-1 away win.

Super Cup meeting
These clubs have come together only once before, in the two-legged 1994/95 UEFA Super Cup. Milan drew 0-0 at Arsenal's old Highbury home before goals from Zvonomir Boban and Daniele Massaro crowned them as that competition's first three-time winners. The Rossoneri are unbeaten in eleven visits from English opposition, and if they have won just one of the returns, that was in their only previous first knockout round trip to England – and Manchester United FC in 2004/05. They have secured two draws from their most recent assignments in London and, of course, Milan saw off United and Liverpool FC in the semi-finals and final of last season's competition.

Tough draw
Ancelotti's team matched Arsenal's tally of 13 points in the group stage but this left them top of their pool rather than second behind Sevilla FC, so Milan will stage the return on 4 March, with the first leg in London on 20 February. "Arsenal were one of the strongest teams in the draw," Ancelotti said. "They have more qualities and better technique than Liverpool, but not the same experience. In recent years we have not met a London-based team. Arsenal are a very young and emerging team, with a lot of qualities. They are the Premier League leaders and they have made a very good start to the season, even though they are currently showing a few signs of slowing down. I think Cesc Fabregas is one of the best midfielders in Europe."

San Siro win
Arsenal have never encountered Italian opposition in this tournament at their new stadium, but have suffered two home losses in ten visits from Serie A clubs overall – being beaten 1-0 by ACF Fiorentina at the old Wembley in 1999/2000 and 3-0 at Highbury by FC Internazionale Milano four years later. Still, they won the San Siro return 5-1 against Inter, and have three victories and only as many defeats from ten trips to Italy. Manager Arsène Wenger said: "It is a big challenge, but if you ask me if we have a chance to knock them out, I say 'yes'. We have a job to finish and are trying to do it the hard way, but we are not responsible for the draw. To win you have to knock big teams out and Milan are a big team, the European and world champions."