Email
Print
Digg This
By Mark Meadows
MILAN, March 3 (Reuters) - Arsenal's 5-1 away win over Inter Milan in 2003 can inspire them to overcome AC Milan on their return to the San Siro in the Champions League on Tuesday, manager Arsene Wanger said.
The Gunners pulverised Inter in a group game in the 2003-4 season when qualification was in the balance and the pressure is again intense for the second leg of the first knockout round tie with the score 0-0.
"It is a big inspiration because we came here in a desperate situation and made a big score and we did it," Wenger told a news conference on Monday.
"I'm confident my team has the qualities to win here. We have nothing to protect but we know we want to score, like in a normal game we want to win."
Despite a scoring draw being enough to put the Premier League leaders through to the quarter-finals, Wenger is not planning any special tactics to deal with the holders.
Milan, fifth in Serie A in a disappointing season, hope to have playmaker Kaka back from a knee injury while influential midfielder Andrea Pirlo is also expected to return.
"We will not mark anyone man to man, that's not the way we play," said Wenger, who opted not to train on the San Siro pitch ahead of the game.
Dutch striker Robin van Persie has travelled to Milan having overcome a thigh problem after a string of injuries. He is likely to gain a place on the bench.
"It is good to have him back because we had to be patient. It is always good to have a boost psychologically having a big player back," Wenger said.
Midfielder Mathieu Flamini was also in confident mood despite Arsenal having not won in four games.
"We have to be strong and play our game. We had chances (in the first leg) so we know we can score. When you become a footballer, you dream of playing games like this but there's no fear," he said.
"We are playing against fantastic players. We have to stop Kaka, he plays between the defence and midfield. But we are confident. We will do what we have to do."
