We play AC Milan in a couple of days 18 February, 2008

Just if you hadn’t noticed.

Build up to the big one beings. Honestly, I’ve forgotten about the Man United game, didn’t dwell on it too much. We now have just the Premiership and the Champions League to focus on, no other distractions. I think that’s the ideal situation for Arsene, especially with the number of players we have in recovery at the moment.

The players have been talking about the game too. Gilberto Silva thinks we can bounce back from the disappointment at Old Trafford against Milan. In my mind there’s no doubt in that. I don’t believe the players will be still thinking about going out of the FA Cup, if anything, they will realise that they need to up their performance in Wednesday night’s game; Wenger will let the players know that today I’m sure.

The Champions League is a massive tournament and it will always inspire the players to give absolutely everything they have. The fact that we’re playing the current holders only emphasises that. I don’t think the players will take it negatively though, they’ll use the pressure as their advantage and hopefully we’ll see some great performances from the likes of Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini and Adebayor.

In our 2006 European Cup run we faced top sides in Real Madrid and Juventus on the way to the final. We were able to keep our heads above the hype and the players put in memorable performances. A win against a team like that gives you invaluable confidence and I think that was what gave us the spirit to take us to the final in 2006.

This year we’ve been drawn with another great side in AC Milan and Wenger will be looking to get the most out of his players like he did a couple of seasons ago. Back then, we were considerably injury hit too, but that didn’t matter. If we can overcome Milan and progress to the next round I will be extremely confidence of our chances to go all the way.

If you think back to last year, we played PSV in this round of the competition; they were the easiest possible draw we could’ve got. However that backfired as the players weren’t as up for the game as they might have been if they were playing say Real Madrid or AC Milan.

This time round we’ll be really up for this game. I’m looking forward to this one already! It’s a mixture of nerves, excitement but confidence as well. I read some team news today and AC Milan are without their 1st and 2nd choice ‘keepers! Dida injured himself on the bench, no really and Zeljko Kalac dislocated his finger in training the other day. We know that that’ll see him miss a few days at least after Almunia did the same to his thumb in training a couple of weeks ago. That could mean they’ll have to play Valerio Fiori the veteran goalie who hasn’t played since 2003. But you know he’ll have the game of his career against us wont he.

Anyway I should really be saving all this build up for nearer the game but I just can’t wait. There’s not much news out there anyway. Just before I go I’d just quickly like to give you this cheeky reminder. You might remember before me saying that my Dad entered a photo for that O2 Arsenal Opus competition and he made it down to the final 11 photos. I think they count all the votes and announce winner on Thursday night at Ashburton Grove on Thursday. There’s going to be a couple of ex-players there and all the finalists for dinner in ‘The Diamond Club’ and I’m representing my Dad as he’s away so I’m really looking forward to that.

Anyway, if you like my his photo and are feeling generous then please click this link and vote for my Dad’s photo, which is the ‘Flying High’ one:

It will be amazing if he won it and seeing as I’ve got this blog I thought I’d ask you for your votes mwhaha! Obviously I’ll let you know who wins when I find out. Thanks a lot guys.

Speak to you tomorrow.