Allegri wary of Arsenal collective

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has rejected claims that Arsenal are a one-man team ahead of their Champions League clash on Wednesday.

Injury-hit Milan will come up against an Arsenal side that have one of Europe’s most in-form strikers, Robin van Persie, at their disposal.

Van Persie has been in irrepressible form this season, netting 28 goals in all competitions for the London outfit, including four in the Champions League.

But Allegri is wary of more than just the Dutchman.

“We know the strength of Arsenal, with a good collective unit and individuals that enhance their overall characteristics,” Allegri said.

“Arsenal have a great team. There is not only Van Persie and we must be wary of all of them.”

“We must play a defensively cautious game, also because this particular game is 180 minutes long.”

Allegri has a number of injury concerns ahead of match with Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has only just returned to training after three weeks out with a muscular problem, Alexandre Pato and Alessandro Nesta not fully fit.

“It’d be difficult for Boateng to play from the start, even though I could change my mind tomorrow,” Allegri said.

“It’s the same with Pato. However, we’ll see them tomorrow, along with Nesta – he’s very important to us.”

The outspoken Boateng was far less guarded when describing his thoughts on Milan’s next opponents.

“I’m not scared of Arsenal,” Boateng said ahead of the clash.

“The problem with (them) is one day they play amazing football and then they play really badly.”

“In the end they don’t have balance. They either play unbelievable football or they don’t know what they’re doing.”

“It comes down to inexperience. Arsenal don’t know what you have to do to win titles – they’re always close but they break down.”

“There’s always something missing at Arsenal. That bit is the experience – we have so much of that at Milan and that is what they need.”