Arsene Wenger called on his Arsenal team to believe they can rewrite the record books and overturn AC Milan's 4-0 lead to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Gunners boss was left crestfallen in the San Siro a fortnight ago, having witnessed his side taken apart by the Rossoneri, as a stunning opener from former Tottenham midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng was followed by a brace by ex-Manchester City striker Robinho before a late penalty by Zlatan Ibrahimovic effectively ended the tie as a contest.

After what he described as a "shocking performance'', Wenger felt little genuine hope of progress. However, following two morale-boosting victories over Tottenham and then Liverpool to kickstart their Barclays Premier League campaign, the Arsenal manager will take only positive thoughts into the European showdown.

"I said I don't live in a dream world - that means I know we have not created an easy situation, but when you are a top-level competitor, even if statistically we have a 5% chance, what is important is that we believe that we can be in this 5% chance,'' Wenger said.

"That is what is at stake for us - to show that we have the quality to believe we can do it, even if it is only 5%. Let us make sure that we do not miss our chance because we did not believe in it.''

Only three clubs have recovered from such a first-leg deficit in the history of European competitions, but those were back in the mid-1980s.

Milan, though, somehow managed to go out to Deportivo La Coruna in the 2003/04 quarter-finals having won 4-1 at home, losing the second leg in Spain 4-0.

Arsenal are short of options in midfield, with Czech playmaker Tomas Rosicky facing a late fitness test on a groin problem and Mikel Arteta needing to rest for a week after suffering a blow to the head in a collision with Jordan Henderson during Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win at Anfield.

However, the Gunners still have plenty of firepower in attack, with the likes of Theo Walcott, Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all ready to support 31-goal skipper Robin van Persie.

Blackburn were swept aside 7-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League, while arch-rivals Tottenham were beaten 5-2 in a game in which the Gunners had trailed 2-0 inside 34 minutes.

Arsenal's record Champions League home win came in the 2007/08 group stages when Slavia Prague were thrashed 7-0, while three seasons ago Porto were beaten 5-0 in the second leg of the knockout stages, having won the first leg 2-1.

Wenger said: "I know my players well, I know they have been hurt by the first result, and I know they have their pride. They will come out and give a performance.

"We lost 4-0 at Milan, but they had five shots on target and we had 55% possession there and we didn't play well at all. If they can score four we can as well, why not?

"It is important that we believe we can do it. Your belief is stronger when your recent results have been good.''

Wenger added: "Even if they should score, we have to ignore it and continue going. That is a risk, we have to gamble a bit and go forwards, opening ourselves up a bit, but we will build the squad who will have a good drive going forwards, then everybody has to contribute when you do not have the ball to keep a clean sheet.''

Full-back Kieran Gibbs called for his team-mates to deliver the necessary response.

"The whole team was quite hurt by the first leg. This gives us a great opportunity to get a sense of pride back,'' said the 22-year-old England international.

"We have shown fantastic mentality to come back in the last couple of games and have created a momentum now.

"We have to believe otherwise there is no point in being here.

"If they can beat us 4-0 then why can't we do the same? In our last home game, we scored five goals. We have to create a faultless performance.''

Match

Arsene vwenger is going mad. He needs help!

End of the road for Arsenal in this yrs UCL.

For me o, I'm down with gunners tonight.

They will come, they will see, and we will conquer.

Arsenal today, Arsenal tomorrow, Arsenal Forever. NOTHING THE HAPPEN

gunners 6 mumulan 1

Smiles,

i love gunners and am happy they showed the world what they can do against liverpool and others, so milan should be on thier toes or they will be shocked what might end the game

It wont be long now then reality will set in.

Me dey fear sha.In persie i trust!!!

How many times have arsenal overturned first leg deficits in UCL History. AC Milan is not tottenham or liverpool. Play the same way as saturday and another 4-0 massacre.

azeeza:

Me dey fear sha.In [b]Wenger [/b]i trust!!!

Corrected

Loveee Arsenal with passion, but am gonna be objective as much as possible, Ibrahim don start to they take Warri Egbo(weed) again. He's on a bloody fire ryt now

Emirate Miracle Tonite
dont Miss it

Don't you know you are always a gone'r.

Ppl can dream big oo. Hw can someone think that Arsenal can win Milan on aggregate?? Arsenal cud win dis leg, yes. But nt 5-0 or above. Milan defence is way better than Spurs and Liverpool. And Ibra, Robinho and El Shaarawy will start 2geda so u can't stop dem from scoring with Sagna and Jenkinson. And a depleted Arsenal midfield too. Goodluck to u gunners on the flanks. But Abate is a world class defender.

1-1 Draw would do me just fine.

Arsenal to win 2 goals to 1

arsenal; no mata what

Arsenal 3 - Milan 2

Arsenal 7 - 1 Milan #daydreaming

Interesting line up. COYG.

This match na attack vs attack! But Milan is sure goin to win

Game on!!!

arsenal throw in . ,

gooood tv5

How una dey for here

arghh offside . .

this robinho better behave