‘It is a difficult draw but an exciting one’ - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger anticipating tough Champions League clash with AC Milan

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the club's draw with Serie A champions AC Milan for the last-16 of the Champions League is a difficult but exciting prospect.

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Alongside Chelsea, the Gunners were one of only two Premier League sides to make the knockout stages of the tournament.

Wenger insists the outcome of the tie hangs evenly in the balance, and is hoping his side can maintain their recent good form going into February's showdown.

“It is a difficult draw but an exciting one,” he told the club’s official website. “And they could say exactly the same thing I suppose. It is a 50:50.

“So let’s make sure we continue to improve until February. Then we can take our chance with full power and belief.”

Arsenal have played at the San Siro twice before in the Champions League and on both occasions have won – 5-1 against Inter and 2-0 against Milan.

The Rossoneri’s director, Umberto Gandini, described the match as the “tie of the round” and Wenger agreed that it is the type of fixture that would be expected in the quarter-finals of the competition.

“Yes, we have good memories at San Siro,” the Gunners boss acknowledged. “As I say it is an interesting draw.

“Ideally, it is a draw for one round later but you take them when they happen.

“There is not much more to say really – everybody knows Milan, everybody knows Arsenal.

“We have been in the Champions League for many years and both sides play positive football.

“We have been up to the task every time in this competition so let’s make sure we are again.”