Uefa Champions League 2012: 5 Matchups Arsenal Must Win vs. AC Milan

In order to repeat 2008's 2-0 triumph over AC Milan at the San Siro, Arsenal must win some pivotal personal duels. The Gunners will need to wrest control of the midfield away from seasoned Dutch veterans Clarence Seedorf and Mark van Bommel.

Arsenal must also find ways to subdue high profile attacking talents like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Netting an away goal and building a lead to take back to North London will be vital for Arsene Wenger's team if they hope to reach the last eight of the Uefa Champions League.

In order to achieve this, these are the five critical one-on-one matchups Arsenal have to win to move one step closer to the quarterfinals.

5. Tomas Rosicky vs. Mark Van Bommel

Czech schemer Tomas Rosicky will have to fight hard to escape the attentions of Milan's midfield destroyer Mark van Bommel. Rosicky has added a more direct and energetic style of play to the apex of Arsenal's midfield trio.

The oft-injured Rosicky has proved in his last two starts that, when healthy, he makes a big difference to the speed and tenacity of Arsenal's game. As the most advanced member of the Gunners midfield, Rosicky will need to get the better of van Bommel and continue to thread passes to Arsenal's front three and tie together the play between the midfield and forward lines.

Just as important, Rosicky can play a key role in disrupting Milan's ability to play out from the back. An underrated and determined tackler, Rosicky can harass Milan's defenders and deep lying midfielders into some careless passes in dangerous areas.

Van Bommel is an intimidating physical presence and presents a tough challenge. But Rosicky has the experience and quality to impose himself on any game when in form, and he could carry the fight to Milan.

4. Laurent Koscielny vs. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Laurent Koscielny will need to use his exceptional awareness and anticipation to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic quiet and prevent the Swedish hotshot from exposing the Arsenal back line. Koscielny has been in fine form for most of the season and has been easily Arsenal's most assured defender.

His solid performances have vindicated Arsene Wenger's decision to sign him from FC Lorient in the summer of 2010 and put him straight into the lineup. The French stopper is a deceptively capable athlete and a clever defender.

He will need to be a little more aggressive than usual in order to marshal any aerial threat offered by Ibrahimovic. But the confident striker mostly does his damage on the ground, which could play right into the best parts of Koscielny's game. The 26-year-old excels at reading the game, spotting danger and steeping in with timely interceptions.

Ibrahimovic will likely be Milan's chief attacking outlet. In the injury absence of Per Mertesacker, the spotlight will be on Koscielny and how well he can cope with the Rossoneri forward line. 

3. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain vs. Ignazio Abate

Young Gunners wing ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has the straight line speed to frighten the Milan defense. But Oxlade-Chamberlain will likely have to first escape the attentions of Milan's own speedster, Ignazio Abate.

The 25-year-old Italian international is an extremely quick player with the pace to track back and cover fleet footed wingers. Few players are as fast as Oxlade-Chamberlain though, and, if the former Southampton prodigy can get free of Abate, he can cause some real problems.

Continental teams have been scared by direct pace in recent seasons. Remember Barcelona's struggles dealing with Theo Walcott in 2010 and how the holders Inter Milan were made to look ordinary by the speed of Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale?

Oxlade-Chamberlain has the attributes to provide a similar threat. If he consistently wins his foot race with Abate, expect Oxlade-Chamberlain to create plenty of scoring opportunities in the San Siro.

2. Robin Van Persie vs. Thiago Silva

One of the most intriguing matchups will be the battle between dynamic Gunners skipper Robin van Persie and Milan's ultra-athletic central defender Thiago Silva. The winner of this duel will likely decide the outcome of the game. 

Silva has the physical attributes to match any striker. His lateral pace and strength could help him control van Persie at close quarters for periods of this game.

But the Dutchman's intelligent movement and keen instincts have helped him elude and get the better of nearly every defender that has been put in his path during a prolific season in front of goal. Van Persie will need to make plenty of clever runs and use his skill and technique to outwit Silva in space. 

1. Mikel Arteta vs. Clarence Seedorf

The competition between experienced playmakers Mikel Arteta and Clarence Seedorf could be the most enthralling aspect of this game. Whichever player is able to dictate the flow of the passing game can decide the winner.

Arteta has been in superb form since his return from injury and is pivotal to Arsenal's style of play. The classy Spaniard will need to keep Arsenal in firm control via his usual brand of clever passing and subtle movement.

Illustrious Dutchman Seedorf will attempt to do exactly the same thing for Milan. The four-time Champions League winner is still a vital component of this Milan team. Despite the anticipated return of Kevin-Prince Boateng, expect Seedorf to play a significant role in Wednesday's events.

He was magnificent in Milan's 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane against Spurs in the knockout stages of last season's tournament. He is a cerebral player with an accurate and varied passing range. If Arteta can see more of the ball, Seedorf's effectiveness will be severely reduced, and Arsenal can create enough openings to score.