Arsenal v AC Milan(7.45pm): Arsene Wenger described it as "the ultimate test", and Cesc Fabregas admitted he hoped Arsenal would eventually be compared favourably to this evening's opponents. Yet both manager and midfielder betrayed an eagerness for the confrontation.

Milan trained at the Emirates last night with the strut of world-beaters; this evening, the Gunners will attempt to knock them off their stride.

There is renewed urgency to Arsenal. Saturday's humiliation at Manchester United may have stung the Premier League leaders' pride, but it also served to focus minds. Defeat to Chelsea in the English League Cup final last season was followed by elimination from the FA Cup and Champions League in quick succession. This time round they can concentrate on the two competitions in which they retain an interest from a position of real strength.

Top of the Premier League by five points, they will tear into the European Cup holders seeing an opportunity to exorcise their frustrations from Old Trafford.

"The defeat at United was difficult and surprising, but they gave a top-class performance and we were swept away," said Wenger. "That can happen. My players will bounce back in this game, don't worry. I'm highly confident of the quality and the mental strength of this team, and the ambition of my players.

"Many people have written us off this season and we have always responded well. Last year the (League) Cup final created a big upset for us, and we lost straight away in the FA Cup, but we were in a much worse position in the league. We had to say: 'Listen, let's save what can be saved'. This year is completely different.

"Even so, this game is the ultimate test. We're in the position of challengers because Milan are the holders of the Champions League. Usually the first leg of a tie like this is decisive, not only mathematically but mentally, strengthening belief on one side and weakening it on the other. They have quality and experience, but we can beat them. Elimination on Saturday actually clarifies things very well. Now it's down to quality."

The pedigree on show tonight, from both sides, is undeniable. Arsenal may be one of Europe's emerging forces, but Milan are arguably the canniest the Continent can offer. As a club, they have won the competition seven times. As a team, they are struggling in fifth place in Serie A, but this competition brings out the best in them.

If the task awaiting Mathieu Flamini is to nullify Kaka, then Fabregas must attempt to dominate the likes of Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo.

"It's probably the ultimate challenge, and the key will be in midfield where they have strong and intelligent players," said the Spaniard. "They're one of the best in Europe, and even if they're not as good as they used to be in the league, they are capable of scoring a goal here and they still know how to defend at San Siro.

"But we're not scared of anything. We respect them a lot because they're a side of great players who have won nearly everything. But we want to be like them. This is a game where we can start to show we are ready to take on that challenge."

Wenger will welcome back Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, but Manuel Almunia is suffering the after-effects of a virus.

There had been a period of introspection in the immediate wake of their 4-0 drubbing in Manchester, though Wenger instigated a more upbeat mood in training yesterday. "Sometimes you forget how good you are when you have a big disappointment," added the Arsenal manager, who will take charge of his 100th Champions League game at the club. "The players were hurt by the defeat, but people have bad days at the office.

"What is important is that we have big targets. This is such a big game, but it is also an opportunity to show how good we are. We are playing against the best, a team that have a great record. People talk about this as a game between the young and the old, and teams do cross each other sometimes when one is going one way and the other is going a different way. We can express our talents in a game of this magnitude."

Guardian Service