Arsenal v AC Milan

Arsene Wenger sounded like he’d spent the week watching Mission Impossible films. “If they can score four we can do it as well. Why not?” Having seemingly thrown in the towel in the immediate aftermath of his side’s drubbing at the San Siro, the Arsenal boss has been given fresh hope by stunning victories over Tottenham and Liverpool in the last two league outings.

“We have to gamble a little bit and we have to go forward,” added the Frenchman. This sounded suspiciously like the approach his side take to every match, but Wenger is planning to really go for broke. “Basically, I have only two midfielders fit…which means we have to play with four strikers. I can play six strikers if I want. I have enough strikers. I can take a risk because I have no choice.”

Fighting talk, and hopes of a comeback from 4-0 don’t sound utterly ridiculous given that the Gunners have scored 12 times in their last two league games at the Emirates. The 5-2 victory over high-flying Spurs, having trailed 2-0, will have provided particular grounds for optimism.With Van Persie at his imperious best at Anfield again on Saturday, some home fans will be snapping up the 25/1 (Bet365) on Arsenal becoming the first Champions League team to ever qualify from four goals down.

I’m not saying this is going to happen! AC Milan are a class act. But if ever a team is likely to have a go and risk leaving huge gaps at the back, it’s Arsenal. The visitors are more than capable of punishing a suicidal approach on the counter-attack. Whatever happens, a bet on a high score has rarely looked so encouraging. Sportingbet go a best price 9/2 on over 4.5 goals in the match and that looks like great value.