I think I’ve never been excited about an Arsenal game as much as I am about this one, simply because every big game is accompanied by the  usual dread, hope, fear, increase in heart rate and the occasional heart ache. Tuesday’s game has none of those bad feelings but might end with unparalleled euphoric joy. We really have nothing to lose whatsoever but

Well well well, despite our frustrating season we’ve managed two massive back to back league wins. If we do qualify for the champions league, we’ll look at those games as to why we did. Two very different games, two great comebacks and a much needed boost of confidence ahead of Tuesday night.

I think I’ve never been excited about an Arsenal game as much as I am about this one, simply because every big game is accompanied by the  usual dread, hope, fear, increase in heart rate and the occasional  
heart ache. Tuesday’s game has none of those bad feelings but might end with unparalleled euphoric joy. We really have nothing to lose whatsoever but absolutely everything to gain.

Ofcourse it’s a mammoth of a task, coming back from four goals, but it’s not like it hasn’t been done before. In 03/04 season Milan beat deportivo la coruña 4-1 in Italy only to lose the return leg 4-0, the  
05 final no one can forget how Liverpool crawled back three goals against – incidently- Milan as well and ofcourse we ourselves let a four goal lead dissappear last season at Newcastle.  Yes it’s near  
impossible but doable, besides we have nothing else to do but try to  score as much as we can.

I loved wengers comments yesterday that there might be some injuries so he might play six strikers. I know he was just joking but that’s the mentality to take at the match. He also said that it wouldn’t be  
the end of the world if Milan scored, because frankly if we’re going to try and score four, why not six.

Those comments got me thinking about the formation and I figured that doing the impossible would eccessiate taking some risks. Frankly regardless of who we have playing at the back or how well we’re set up defensively we concede alot. Although if u take out the 12 goals we conceded against man u and Blackburn – which were freak results- we would have the third best defense in the league!! Added to that we scored about 6 own goals this season!!! What I’m trying to say is why don’t we play a 3-5-2 or 3-6-1 formation?

Milan are a compact team and much of their play is through the middle so we play vermaelim, kos & sagna at the back, song – rosicky – arteta – benayoun – gervinho & Walcott in the middle behind van persie. Not only would this allow us to take control of the midfield which is arguably milan’s strongest line but will give more space for our wingers to run through at their fullbacks who aren’t as fast a both Theo or Gervinho.  My guess is Milan will play with one striker in Ibrahimovic, as they really don’t need to score so this formation will suit defending against a lone striker and give more attacking  
help to Robin up front. I know it’s a little too risky and would leave only the ox as an attacking option from the bench, but it really is all or nothing.

I’m really looking forward to Arsene’s pre game press confrence. If there was a time where mind games might help, it’s this. Milan look like a really arrogant bunch, Ibrahimovic’s and Boateng’s comments pre  
and post game say as much. I really feel they are sure they’ve already won (the media is helping in that regard) and if Wenger by some clever choice of words instills in them that feeling of safety then they  
might just get complacent.

All this game needs is two quick fire goals at any point during the game, obviously the earlier the better, but that would really shake them up an put us on the front foot. And if there’s a player any team  
would love to have when trying to score alot of goals it’s Robin Van Persie.

I know it’s a bit dillusional to think we could get through but we’ve always done it the hard way, and what harder way than this??!

Mean Lean’s Response

In normal circumstances, I think I would be sharing your calm ahead of the game tomorrow evening. A game where pretty much all the pressure has been lifted due to a quite horrific display and result in Italy.

I think I have been hurt too many times in the past by injuries that I am letting that thought dominate my thoughts right now. Our recovery time has been pretty short since our victory at Anfield and I am sure we have plenty of weary legs in the squad.

What I am looking forward to is a potential front line of Walcott, Gervinho, Chamberlain and van Persie. Usually only three of those four can play at any one time but we may just see that this time. Chamberlain replaced Diaby at Anfield and played as the advanced midfielder, that could be the case tomorrow, unless Arsene plans to go 4-4-2 with another striker alongside Robin. Not sure that playing a two man central midfield against their congested center would be a good move though and I suspect that Arsene wouldn’t chance that from the start.

Once we avoid injuries, I think I will be reasonably happy regardless of the score, a victory and clean bill of health would be even better.

But I am going for 6-1 and staying injury free. Ok, perhaps I am not going for it but that is what I and I am sure everyone would love.