Speaking ahead of the AC Milan game tomorrow night, former Arsenal manager Terry Neill reckons the north London club must believe they can achieve the unthinkable if they are to stand any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League:
‘Before the game in Milan I was actually very confident that Arsenal could beat them over two legs.
‘It is a massive mountain to climb, but you have got to believe otherwise you may as well pack up and go home. If you don’t believe you can’t do anything.’
Arsenal have been in great form as of late, especially in their last two Premier League games where they battered Spurs 5-2 and on Saturday beat Carling Cup winners Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield.
The confidence seems to be there and it couldn’t have come at a better time as Neill went on to explain:
‘If that performance against Spurs doesn’t give them confidence and belief I don’t know what will.
‘It is now up to Arsene Wenger, Pat Rice, Boro Primorac and Robin van Persie to try and convince the players they can run Milan close. The Italians will have watched the north London derby and been impressed, believe me.’
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The 69-year-old added:
‘I don’t expect Milan to come to north London and attack. They’ll sit back whatever the result from the first leg. But I also don’t think Arsenal should go gung ho. We can have possession, get our passing game going, and take it from there.’
However, despite wanting to get revenge on the Italians tomorrow night, would Arsene Wenger be forsaken for not fielding his strongest team as the club look to obtain a top four finish? Well Neill believes the Frenchman should throw caution to the wind and just go for it:
‘I would play my absolute strongest XI on Tuesday without a shadow of a doubt.
‘You have got to keep the faith and give yourself the best possible chance. Even if they don’t go through they can still win – and win well – and put on a great performance for the fans.’
