ARSENALNFRIENDS - Arsenal Forum for Arsenal Fans

Milan’s playmaker Kaka is facing a struggle to be fit for the visit of Arsenal next week after the recurrence of a knee problem in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Palermo.

The Brazilian came off at half-time as a precaution and was expected to miss tomorrow’s match at Catania and Saturday’s clash with Lazio to be ready for the Champions League last-16 second leg at San Siro next Tuesday. However, he is more injured than first thought and may be a doubt for the crucial match, with the scores level at 0-0.

“It hurts a lot,” the world player of the year told TeleLombardia yesterday.”I hope to be fit for the Champions League match with Arsenal. I definitely won’t be there against Catania.”

Adebayor - Champions League goals will come

Emmanuel Adebayor is unconcerned about his lack of goals in the Champions League and vows to go to Milan next week in search of history.

The Togolese striker, 24 today, missed a gilt-edged chance in the final minute of the Knockout Round first leg tie against the 'Rossonere' last Wednesday. Had his header not hit the bar, it would have been Adebayor's first goal in 14 Champions League matches for Arsenal.

It is a record in stark contrast to his overall tally at the Club - 38 goals in 90 games - but it is not one that concerns him.

"When the goals come they will come," he said. "Of course that is what I am fighting for. But it does not worry me. I am not putting pressure on myself. Against Milan [at home], the ball did not want to go in.

"We have passed through the first game with a draw so we know it is not going to be easy now. It is going to be doubly difficult. But I think we played quite well."

The goalless draw leaves Arsenal as the underdogs to go through. Milan's Champions League record in the last five years reads: Winners, Quarter-Finalists, Finalists, Semi-Finalists, Winners. In addition they have never lost to English opponents at the San Siro. Adebayor holds Milan in the greatest of respect but feels the task is within his side's capabilities.

"We will go there with confidence," said the striker speaking last week. "We know that beating Milan is something that will be important for us, our families and the fans, so of course our confidence will be very high. We will play our football, pass and move and if we have a chance to win the game that is what we will do.

"It is going to be my first time in the San Siro so hopefully we can make history there.

"Yes, they have the intelligence and the experience. They are one of the biggest teams I have played against.

"It will be a more open game [than the first leg] and we will have more chances to score. I don't know how many chances we will have but, whatever happens, we will have a chance."

Will be a hard game but in my opinion our Arsenal will win the game.

I believe.

Go gunners

Huh, it will be hard. And we play on San Siro. Hard game for us but I believe that we can win and go to quarter final. Go Gunners!

Kaka will play. Dont be fooled by Milan home form so far in the league. They are ready and hungry.

I fear for our team. I just hope we can get a boost if RVP appears on the bench and play some part in this game. And I hope the team will win it for Dudu.

Go Gunners!!!

We will make it. Either full time, extra time or even penalties. This is our year.

Hi everyone,

Tonight is the big night. The good news is RVP and Eboue has flew together with the team. This should boost our attacking options.

The bad new is Toure and Rosicky are still out with injuries. Alex Song and Djourou are also out but I dont see them as starters yet.

2 weeks ago, we played out a boring 0-0 draw but we could have won if Adebayor was more clinical with his last second header with the goal mouth wide open for him.

I see Adebayor starting alone up front with a 5 man midfielder. The back four will be Sagna, Gallas, Senderos and Clichy with Almunia back in goal.

I expect RVP to play some part tonight and hopefully nipping a 1 goal victory for us.

Go Gunners!

Van Persie back in nick of time for Gunners

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels Robin van Persie is now fighting fit - and would have no qualms about throwing the Dutchman on against Champions League holders AC Milan in the San Siro.

The 24-year-old striker started the campaign in fine form before being sidelined by knee and muscular problems.

Van Persie returned for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Tottenham on January 9, but was substituted at half-time and has not played since.

However, Wenger included the Dutchman in his 18-man squad which left Luton Airport for Italy.

While van Persie is set to start on the bench, with the tie delicately poised at 0-0 from the first leg at Emirates Stadium, the Gunners boss believes the Dutchman is capable of having a big impact on the game should he be thrown into the action.

'Robin is not in contention to start. He has not played properly for five months,' Wenger confirmed.

'But he can come in and play a part in the game.

'Robin can produce, even on set-pieces if needed, or the pace drops in the game.' The Arsenal boss, though, played down suggestions he was gambling with van Persie's fitness.

'I don't think now there is any risk, but maybe to start at a high pace and go above your limits, it could be a risk,' said Wenger.

'Basically his problem at the start it was a thigh problem and a recurrence of it.

'Maybe we were a bit too optimistic with it and we pushed him back too early, because, at the start, you think `okay, it's a three week job'.

'He has really only been able to play eight games this year in the championship (Premier League).'

Arsenal, though, are without defender Kolo Toure, who suffered a calf injury in the first leg on his return from the African Nations Cup.

Wenger remains confident his young squad - who lead the Premier League - have what it takes to progress to make the last eight of Europe's elite club competition.

'From the result we made in the first game we know we want to attack as well,' he said.

'We want to play basically our normal game. It is important to be good on the counter-attack, but, as well, not to drop too deep.

'Of course, we realise we have not to be naive, We want to go from a strong defensive base.

'You have not to defend in your own box as well because players like Inzaghi, Pato, Kaka or Pirlo can hit you if you drop too deep.

'We will need to be disciplined, but as well audacious.

'I will tell you something - tomorrow we do not need anything for motivation.