BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at Amex Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI ahead of European clash
by Kian Long
Arsenal face a visit to the San Siro to face AC Milan in the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie.
The Gunners are facing a tough time in their Premier League campaign, and the same can be said for AC Milan’s league campaign, despite showing impressive form in recent weeks. We have previewed the tie. Many have been debating on social media over which is the most accurate combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI, so why not join in the discussion?
Many are looking at this fixture with raised eyebrows, wondering which team will come out on top. Arsenal and AC Milan are two historic teams who are rich in history, but both have suffered a significant downfall since their glory days.
In this combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI, only players who are eligible/fit to play will be featured, which will explain the surprise absences. So, without further ado, let’s start with the goalkeeper.
previewed the tie</a>. Many have been debating on social media over which is the most accurate combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI, so why not join in the discussion?</p>
<p>Many are looking at this fixture with raised eyebrows, wondering which team will come out on top. Arsenal and AC Milan are two historic teams who are rich in history, but both have suffered a significant downfall since their glory days.</p>
<p>In this combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI, only players who are eligible/fit to play will be featured, which will explain the surprise absences. So, without further ado, let’s start with the goalkeeper.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Goalkeeper </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">ROME, ROMA – FEBRUARY 28: Sergej Milinkovic Savic of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Gianluigi Donnaruimma of AC Milan during the TIM Cup match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Olimpico Stadium on February 28, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Goalkeeper- Gianluigi Donnarumma</h3>
<p>It comes as no surprise to see the 19 year old goalkeeper start the list. He has been a real fan favorite at the San Siro, after coming out of the tough period and sticking with AC Milan.</p>
<p>The Italian side haven’t conceded in six consecutive games, and he has played a large part in this statistic. In his last match against Lazio, the Italian shot-stopper put in an emphatic display to deny the home side any chance of putting the ball in his net.</p>
<p>The Arsenal attackers will face a tough time in challenging Donnarumma, although he will find relief knowing Alexandre Lacazette is injured and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ineligible to play in the competition.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Full Backs </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-449143" src=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F02%2F917036048-tottenham-hotspur-v-arsenal-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="Arsenal player against Spurs at Wembley" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Right back – Hector Bellerin</h3>
<p>A large number of Arsenal’s shortcomings recently have been pinned on Hector Bellerin, which is unfair. At the age of just 22, he is a very established full back, who can offer Arsenal support in both the defensive and attacking third.</p>
<p>He loves to skip past players and use his speed to his advantage, the Milan defense will have a hard time dealing with his rapidity. That said, the Spaniard must remain disciplined, as he has often been criticized for his defensive prowess.</p>
<p>Just recently, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5733130/arsenal-hector-bellerin-furious-arsene-wenger-brighton/">Hector Bellerin was rumored to have fallen out with Arsene Wenger</a>, so whether he starts in this match-up remains to be known.</p>
<h3>Left back – Nacho Monreal</h3>
<p>Another of Arsenal’s Spanish full backs joins Hector Bellerin in this combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI. Nacho Monreal has been the most consistent player in Arsenal’s ranks this season, he’s certainly been Arsenal’s diamond in the rough.</p>
<p>Like Hector Bellerin, he loves to get forward. This season, the Spaniard has scored five goals and provided two assists. This statistic isn’t bad considering Monreal isn’t known for his goal input.</p>
<p>He’s played a large part of this season in the center of defense, as Arsenal have adopted a three-at-the-back system. However, by trade, he is a natural full back.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Center Backs </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Leonardo Bonucci of AC Milan celebrates at the end of the serie A match between AC Milan and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 18, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Center back – Leonardo Bonucci</h3>
<p>Is there really any other option? Leonardo Bonucci is a brick wall at the back for Milan, having previously applied his trade in Turin with Juventus.</p>
<p>Having spent a large majority of his career playing for Juventus, alongside the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, he was bound to be special. The 30 year old is your typical Italian defender, adopting a no-nonsense approach.</p>
<p>He’ll be a threat when it comes to corners for Arsenal, and he’ll also give the Gunners a hard time in converting the headers from their set pieces. I expect Leonardo Bonucci to have a huge impact on this game, which is why he is a guaranteed starter in this combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI.</p>
<h3>Center back – Alessio Romagnoli</h3>
<p>It comes as no surprise that the defense of this combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI is mainly made up of Milan players. Especially recently, they have played a huge part in getting results for their team.</p>
<p>Alessio Romagnoli compliments Leonardo Bonucci well. Out of the two, he is the most confident on the ball and he’ll be responsible of getting the ball out of the zone they give their all to protect.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defensive Midfielders </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 28: Franck Kessie of AC Milan in action during the serie A match between AC Milan and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 28, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Midfielder – Franck Kessie</h3>
<p>The Ivorian has made plenty of appearances for AC Milan this season, despite being just 21 years old. Most of his appearances have come in the Europa League, and he’s impressed during the time he’s been given.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>He usually applies his trade in the center of the park, excelling in both the defensive and offensive third. He’s really starting to make his mark on the first team, doing everything that Gennaro Gattusso asks of him.</p>
<h3>Midfielder – Aaron Ramsey</h3>
<p>It remains unclear whether the Welshman will start this match, as he was left out of Arsenal’s league match with Brighton at the weekend. There were rumors flying round that the midfielder had rows with Arsene Wenger, and even that <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/04/arsenal-ready-part-ways-aaron-ramsey/">the club are willing to sell him </a>in the summer transfer window.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, he’s a truly talented player. He often gets criticized for his lack of concentration, but when he does flurry forward, he usually makes a positive impact. He loves to pick out space left by the defense and exploit it, but he may have a hard time doing this against the likes of Leonardo Bonucci.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Attacking Midfielders </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 30: Suso of AS Milan in action during the serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 30, 2017 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Attack – Suso</h3>
<p>The former Liverpool winger has caught the eye of many. He’s been a regular in the Milan setup, which is why I couldn’t leave him out of this combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI. Having played in a variety of different positions, he has picked up a number of traits along the way.</p>
<p>As you can imagine, he’s a very versatile and dynamic player. Ageing at just 24 years old, the Italian is almost a complete player. He still needs to work on his physicality, but other than that, he has a large wad of skills.</p>
<h3>Attack – Mesut Ozil</h3>
<p>I think Mesut Ozil would make just about anyone’s combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI. The German is one of the best in the business, and certainly one who could cause trouble to the Milan back line.</p>
<p>His creative ability is simply unmatched, and he’s the one who has made things tick for Arsenal in their dark period. Having scored against Ostersunds in their previous tie, Arsene Wenger will surely have the World Cup winner in his plans.</p>
<h3>Attack – Henrikh Mkhitaryan</h3>
<p>Henrikh Mkhitaryan, despite not being at his level, shares a lot of common traits with Mesut Ozil. The German likes to take time to pick out the right pass, whereas Mkhitaryan likes to use his instinct in order to keep the game flowing.</p>
<p>He hasn’t had it easy since arriving from Manchester United, although he did provide a hat-trick of assists in his home debut. He scored in last year’s Europa League final, it’s a competition which served him well during his time with Jose Mourinho.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2018/03/07/combined-ac-milan-arsenal-xi-ahead-european-clash/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Striker </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">ROME, ROMA – FEBRUARY 28: Patrick Cutrone of AC Milan reacts during the TIM Cup match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Olimpico Stadium on February 28, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Striker – Patrick Cutrone</h3>
<p>This was the hardest position to pick in this combined AC Milan & Arsenal XI, and not because their was an overhaul of talent either. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being cup tied and Alexandre Lacazette still recovering from injury, there was only really one choice.</p>
<p>Patrick Cutrone has been a regular in the Europa League this season, picking up seven appearances in the competition. During this time, he has picked up four goals and provided one assist.</p>
<p>It’s hard to believe the Italian is just 20 years old, he’s definitely one to look out for in the future. He can sometimes drift off the to the left side of attack, so Arsenal’s defense must be wary of this if they are to isolate him.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
