Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Tuesday (February 14) that his team intended to attack AC Milan when they meet in a Champions League round of 16 first-leg match on Wednesday (February 15) but the Frenchman did have some concerns about the quality of the San Siro pitch.
"We will try to play our game and Milan is a good side. We think we are a good side. We will go to attack but they certainly will as well so it should be an exciting game", Wenger told a news conference.
Wenger expressed concerns over "the quality of the pitch that does not look exceptional" due to the recent bad weather and heavy snowfalls.
"Hopefully until tomorrow it will be better," he added.
Recalling the 2008 Arsenal victory over Milan, Wenger acknowledged that since then his team had lost several matches but had recovered confidence and was ready once more to face the Italian squad.
"Well, when we played here I think that Milan had won the European Cup the year before, just the year before. We knocked them out and we had an upcoming team which was full of confidence and (had a) very young side as well and when we arrived here I think we were top of the league in England so we had full confidence.
"Since (then) we have of course lost some games but I feel we are again a strong team now, we are building confidence and I believe as well that tomorrow's night game will be important," he said.
Wenger appeared reluctant to say which team might turn-out as the winner.
"Are we strong or not? I will give you the answer tomorrow night after the game!"
Arsenal held a final training run at its London Colney base earlier on Tuesday just before leaving for Milan.
Reuters