Arsenal’s trip to Milan on Thursday is make or break for the fate of their season, as well as for wearied manager Arsene Wenger who has seen his side lose each of their last four games.
The Europa League is the Gunners’ only shot at redemption this campaign, with the flailing north London side out of the two domestic cups, and well behind in the race for the Premier League top four.
Misfiring Gunners in poor form
As well as losing their last four matches, Arsenal have lost eight times in all competitions since the turn of the year – including an embarrassing 2-1 reversal against Swedish minnows Ostersunds in the last round of this competition.
While the 3-0 lead they had from the first leg was enough to eventually see them through, defeat to a side only founded in 1996 was another chapter in what has become a disappointing season.
They did win their last match against Milan, 3-0 back in 2012, however, though how much relevance that match from six years ago has remains to be seen.
The Gunners are 49/20 with Grosvenorsport.com to turn things round with a win on Thursday.
Milan rebuilding under Gattuso
AC Milan sit in a lowly seventh in Serie A – though have much improved since the appointment of former midfielder Gennaro Gattuso as boss in November.
The Rossoneri are unbeaten in their last 12 games, and comfortably saw off Ludogorets in the last round.
Goalkeeping prodigy Gianluigi Donnarumma has kept clean sheets in each of his last six matches – and an Arsenal side missing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette could find it tough to break through.
The Italian side come into this as favourites, and will be hopeful of picking up a first leg victory.
They are 11/10 to do so with Grosvenorsport.com.
These two clubs have met six times, and can’t be split – with two wins apiece, and two draws.
Another draw on Thursday is available at 49/20.
Another long evening for Arsenal faithful
Arsenal’s away form this season has been terrible – and their 3-0 victory at Ostersunds is their only win in their last nine in all competitions away from the Emirates stadium.
With strikers missing, and AC Milan so defensively sound, I can’t see them getting much at the San Siro either.
I would suggest backing Milan to win to nil at 11/4.
Portuguese striker Andre Silva has saved his best form for the Europa League, scoring all eight of his Milan goals since arriving from Porto in this competition.
The 22-year-old can blow hot and cold, but the 19/4 for him to score first could be worth a punt.
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