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AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri: Arsenal not a one-man team
Many pundits feel that the Gunners have become too reliant on their Dutch forward, but the Rossoneri coach believes that there is much more to the north London side's attack
14 Feb 2012 16:25:00
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has dismissed the suggestion that his players need only to nullify the threat posed by Robin van Persie in order to see off Arsenal in their Champions League last 16 first leg clash at San Siro on Wednesday night.
Van Persie has been in sensational goal-scoring form for the Gunners over the past year but many feel that Arsene Wenger's side have become overly reliant on the Dutchman.
Allegri, though, believes that there is more to the north London attack than just Van Persie.
"We know the strength of Arsenal, with a good collective unit and individuals that enhance their overall characteristics," he mused.
"We must play a defensively cautious game [on Wednesday night], also because this particular game is 180 minutes long.
"Arsenal have a great team. There is not only Van Persie and we must be wary of all of them."
Allegri has a number of injury concerns ahead of the game at the Giuseppe Meazza and he admitted that he has yet to decide how best to utilise Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has only just returned to training after three weeks out with a muscular problem.
"I have to evaluate the condition of the injured," the former Cagliari boss explained. "Some have only done a few sessions with the team.
"It'd be difficult for Boateng to play from the start, even though I could change my mind tomorrow.
"It's the same with [Alexandre] Pato. However, we'll see them tomorrow, along with [Alessandro] Nesta - he's very important to us."
The second leg of this eagerly-awaited tie will take place at the Emirates on March 6.
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Van Persie has been in sensational goal-scoring form for the Gunners over the past year but many feel that Arsene Wenger's side have become overly reliant on the Dutchman.
Allegri, though, believes that there is more to the north London attack than just Van Persie.
"We know the strength of Arsenal, with a good collective unit and individuals that enhance their overall characteristics," he mused.
"We must play a defensively cautious game [on Wednesday night], also because this particular game is 180 minutes long.
"Arsenal have a great team. There is not only Van Persie and we must be wary of all of them."
Allegri has a number of injury concerns ahead of the game at the Giuseppe Meazza and he admitted that he has yet to decide how best to utilise Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has only just returned to training after three weeks out with a muscular problem.
"I have to evaluate the condition of the injured," the former Cagliari boss explained. "Some have only done a few sessions with the team.
"It'd be difficult for Boateng to play from the start, even though I could change my mind tomorrow.
"It's the same with [Alexandre] Pato. However, we'll see them tomorrow, along with [Alessandro] Nesta - he's very important to us."
The second leg of this eagerly-awaited tie will take place at the Emirates on March 6.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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