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- Dubai 04:31 05:49 12:21 15:48 18:47 20:05
AC Milan's Thiago Silva celebrates with his team mates after scoring against Palermo during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Renzo Barbera stadium in Palermo March 3, 2012. (REUTERS)
To put Arsenal’s great revival in perspective, one could point out that Liverpool have struggled to regain their ‘top club’ status, riven as they have been by players who have not delivered.
The manner in which a terrible performance by Manchester United was enough to put Tottenham Hotspur away also suggests that Spurs are always there for the taking.
However, it is from the Italian giants that humbled Arsenal at the San Siro that a sobering judgment comes.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Massimilano Allegri was quoted as saying: "Arsenal will not win big trophies again until they sign big players (https://bit.ly/ApNwln).”
It’s a sign of lowered expectations at the Emirates that finishing fourth in the Premier League is now a major achievement.
The air of confidence that reigns over the team now – all talk is of “doing the impossible” and “impossible possible” – was tempered by manager Arsene Wenger who suggested only one word was necessary ahead of Milan’s visit – “impossible.”
Arsenal have to overturn a 4-0 deficit.
The AC Milan coach Allegri said: "For me it's impossible to win the title or Champions League without signing big players.
"You will never do it without big players. That goes for Arsenal, Milan or any big club. You must buy big.
Milan signed Robinho, Ibra, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Antonio Cassano among others and Allegri delivered instant success Arsenal meanwhile have been leaking stars.
Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan, Alexander Hleb to Barca, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City.
Then, Cesc Fabregas to Barca and Samir Nasri to City.
Now is it time to cash in on Robin Van Persie.
The red-hot striker with his 30-odd goals so far has single handedly revived Arsenal.
Every top club in Europe will break the bank to buy him, not least Manchester City and Real Madrid.
For now though, Van Persie will attempt the impossible.
Allegri gave him some hope saying: "It is possible! Anything can happen. If they score a goal in the first minute and one early in the second half for example then they have 40-45 minutes to score two."
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