Arsenal vs. AC Milan: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2nd Leg at the Emirates

The day after Arsenal's humiliation at the San Siro, the Gunners can take one positive from what was otherwise a miserable night.

It's over.

The bad news, though, is that Arsenal now have to pick up the pieces and do it again in three weeks. So what can we expect when Milan visit the Emirates Stadium on March 6?

Read on to find out.

Ox Will Start

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should have started for Arsenal.

Instead, Arsene Wenger sent Tomas Rosicky to the wing, negating any chance Arsenal had to exploit their speed advantage over Milan.

In fact, with Theo Walcott playing ineffectually on the other wing, Arsenal rarely showed any interest in attacking the flanks.

Instead, they held the ball for long periods without any clear purpose.

That has to change in the return leg. Ox must start on the wing to give Arsenal the width necessary to mount effective attacks on Milan's slower squad.

And Ox Will Star

In the past, Wenger has defended his delicate handling of Oxlade-Chamberlain by saying the youngster is not ready for high-pressure games.

Presumably, that's why Wenger left him on the bench against AC Milan.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, however, has performed well every time he's been given a chance. Now that Arsenal are all but out of Europe, look for Wenger to hand Ox a starting berth in the second leg.

And expect Ox to impress yet again.

Arsenal Will Score

This might not seem like a bold prediction.

Arsenal will be the home team, after all.

But considering the way Arsenal played Wednesday, predicting anything positive is bold.

It's not a stretch, though, if Arsenal take the right approach. If Arsenal attack Milan with speed down the wings, they will score.

Milan's midfield and defense are solid, but they're also slow.

By dedicating themselves to the right tactics, Arsenal should be able to break through.

But Milan Will Win

Not just the tie—Milan will win the second leg as well.

Arsenal may well score a goal or two at the Emirates, but their defense is a mess.

French defender Laurent Koscielny may have been his team's best player before leaving the match through injury.

But even he struggled to match up physically with the height and physicality of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Meanwhile, fullbacks Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs understandably lacked full match fitness. And Thomas Vermaelen played a shockingly poor match.

Unless the entire back four improve significantly, Milan will find goals readily available. Again.

Robin Van Persie Will Be Rested

Realistically, Arsene Wenger must know Arsenal's European adventure is over.

With that in mind, the Arsenal boss must consider resting Robin van Persie for the return leg with a view to the stretch run in both the FA Cup and Barclays Premier League.

That is, if Arsenal are still alive in the FA Cup. A tricky trip to Sunderland in the FA Cup fifth round looms this weekend.

If indeed Arsenal find themselves out of the FA Cup when Milan visit in early March, it seems almost certain that Wenger would start Van Persie on the bench. Progress in Europe this season is unrealistic, but qualification for next term via a fourth-place league finish is not.

To attain it, Arsenal will need their best player at full strength.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeCummings37