Milan trio ready to face Arsenal

MILAN, Italy -- Reigning European champions AC Milan expect to have an important trio of players fit to return to the side for their home game against English Premier League leaders Arsenal at the San Siro on Tuesday.

Center-back Alessandro Nesta and midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Kaka all missed Saturday's 1-1 draw against Lazio, but will line up against the Gunners as the sides seek the first goal of the two-legged tie.

The Italians do have a worry over experienced Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf in midfield, though. he damaged a leg muscle against Lazio.

Defender Massimo Oddo is full of confidence. "We'll get some important players back who've had a chance to rest and we know that in these matches Milan rarely fail.

"It will surely be a great match in front of our fans who like always will cheer us on from the first minute."

Milan have not shone in the league this season and currently they lie fifth, four points off fourth and the final Champions League qualification place for next season.

But the six-time European champions generally rise to the occasion in Europe's premier competition.

"Milan are in good shape, we've just had a few injuries but we're convinced that come Tuesday we will play a great match because we always prepare differently for Champions League matches, especially mentally," said Georgia center-back Kakha Kaladze.

"We've been playing twice a week for two months and of course that's not easy."

Arsenal have Dutch forward Robin van Persie back in their squad, but he certainly will not be in their starting eleven.

"Robin is not in contention to start. He has not played properly for five months," manager Arsene Wenger confirmed. "But he can come in and play a part in the game. "Robin can produce, even on set-pieces if needed, or the pace drops in the game."

Arsenal are without center-back Kolo Toure (knee) and midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring).

Wenger is anxious for Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor find the knack of scoring Champions League goals.

In 14 previous matches in European competition for the Londoners he has failed to find the net and his horror miss from three yards out in front of an open goal e time in the first leg cost Arsenal the chance of taking a lead to Milan.

"It's unbelievable that Adebayor has not scored in the Champions League," Wenger said. "I could not believe it when someone said that and didn't even notice that he had not scored in the competition.

"He might not have scored in his 14 appearances for us in the Champions League but he will in the 15th."

Wenger is very much aware that last season Milan overturned a 3-2 first leg deficit against Manchester United by winning 3-0 at the San Siro.

"What is important for us in Milan is to be tight defensively because they tore Manchester United apart in the first 20 minutes of their second leg last season," Wenger said.

"Where they surprised me against United is that they upped the pace to a level that United could not cope with in the first part of the game.

"We need to start the game in a strong way. We need to be strong defensively, but not to hide every time we win the ball. If we lose the ball quickly there we will be punished."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is approaching the game warily.

"The match with Arsenal is definitely causing me worries because we're not coming into it in optimal conditions," said Ancelotti.

"It's a match in which players find energy because it's a question of character, courage and desire to get to the next round. That's what will make the difference rather than physical condition." E-mail to a friend