The heat of the match between Arsenal vs AC Milan is going to rise with every remaining seconds. The fans are getting more and more involved and the players are trying to give their 100 percent in the last training session before the ‘Match of Pride’ between these two sides.
The match is going to be vital for both the teams. Both the sides will be keen to the match to go through to the next round. The only chance of winning a silverware is remaining in this competition for them. The past history of meeting of these two clubs is making the fans more excited for the match.
‘Arsenalcore’ will today analyse another of the ‘Key Battles’ that supporters will have to look out for this match. Granit Xhaka and Lucas Biglia are two defensive midfielders for their respective teams. Arsenal comes into the fixture with two away goal advantage and it will be vital how their defensive midfielder – Granit Xhaka, conducts his business.
Granit Xhaka :
The Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka will be one of the key men in the field for the Gunners. In a big match like this, the main battle is going to be in midfield. Arsenal will be looking to keep the possession of the ball as much as they could, so in this context the role of Xhaka is going to be important in not only keeping the possession but also regaining it.
READ: UEFA Europa League Arsenal vs AC Milan – Laurent Koscielny vs Leonardo Bonucci
READ: UEFA Europa League Arsenal vs AC Milan – Mkhitaryan vs Suso
Granit Xhaka’s physical presence in the midfield gives the other players of Arsenal free space to flourish at the upfront of the field. His technique is overall good. He can create chances for the team and also his ball control ability is keeping him ahead of other midfielders of his age.
The 25 year old midfielder’s playmaking ability and accurate passing are the strengths of his game. But sometimes, his defensive errors lead to goals for the team. So, Xhaka must be cautious throughout the whole match. Otherwise, the attacking trio of Suso, Cutrone and Calhanoglu are much capable of converting a chance into a Goal.
He has to be at the peak of his physicality and defensive game when Milan have the ball and should control the defensive duties from front.
Xhaka had been influential in Arsenal’s win over Watford last weekend in the Premier League, below are his stats from that fixture:
Lucas Biglia :
The Argentine midfielder is known for his defensive quality and tackling ability. The 32 year old midfielder has a huge experience in his bag and that might be crucial The player is surely going to lead the three men midfield for AC Milan.
Franck Kessie and Bonaventura can play much free role in the midfield for Milan. Biglia’s strength lies in his passing ability, playing long balls in important moments of the match. His positioning sense is also better than most of the players of his position.
READ: UEFA Europa League Arsenal vs AC Milan – Petr Cech vs Gianluigi Donnarumma
READ: UEFA Europa League Arsenal vs AC Milan – Hector Bellerin vs Davide Calabria
Biglia has to play a big role in this match as the creativity of Wilshere, Ozil and Mkhitaryan in the Midfield of Arsenal may prove to be lethal any time in the match. The midfield of Milan have to deal with pace of the counter attacks of the players of Arsenal. AC Milan is keeping clean sheet for the last six matches under the management of Gattuso. The presence of Biglia in the middle of the pitch is surely one of the reasons of this achievement for them.
With Arsenal already leading, it will be important for Biglia to control Arsenal’s attack and do not concede any more goals.
