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AC Milan v Arsenal

Arsenal travel to the San Siro for the first leg of their last 16 clash with AC Milan on Wednesday with victory on their minds.

The Gunners defeated the Serie A table toppers on their last two visits to Italy and after a recent run of improved results are determined to come away from the capital with a similar result.

Arsene Wenger’s side are arguably weaker this time out though with a number of key players, including Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, having since moved on, but the north Londoners have been buoyed by the form of inspirational captain Robin van Persie and the return of Thierry Henry.

They face an inform Milan side, though, who claimed top spot in their domestic league with a win over Udinese on Saturday.

Both sides came through their qualifying campaign with flying colours, with the Rossoneri finishing second in Group H behind Barcelona while Arsenal topped Group F ahead of Marseille.

Henry gave the club’s away fans something to remember him by with a winner at Sunderland on the weekend, with that match his last league game for the club before his return to the MLS, and will no doubt be keen to add to his three goals in his last outright game for his beloved ‘former’ club.

For the Gunners, Per Mertesacker has been ruled out after the Germany defender twisted his ankle during Saturday’s 2-1 win against Sunderland with Kieran Gibbs, who has not played for the past four months, likely to start at left-back. Thomas Vermaelen looks set to return to centre-back, alongside Laurent Koscielny after being used on the flanks in recent weeks.

Aaron Ramsey is expected to return in place of Tomas Rosicky after his return from injury and subsequent good form that saw him come off the bench against the Blank Cats to start the Gunners’ fight-back from one-nil down.

Milan, meanwhile, have been boosted by the return to training of Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Alessandro Nesta and boast formidable Champions League experience in their side with the like of Clarence Seedorf and Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to play a central part.