Milan pleased with Arsenal tie

The Rossoneri were pitted against Arsene Wenger's men in Friday's draw in Nyon, a repeat of their meeting in 2008 when the Gunners progressed through to the quarter-finals after winning 2-0 in the San Siro.

Both sides went out at this stage of the competition last season, with Arsenal losing to eventual winners Barcelona and Milan bowing out at the hands of the Gunners' North London rivals Tottenham.

When asked whether the match-up was the stand-out tie, Gandini told Sky Sports: "Oh yes. The quality and the appeal of the two clubs, it is a fantastic tie.

"We have to break a bad tradition with Arsenal - we remember the last time being knocked out by Arsenal 2-0 in the San Siro - and especially in February with English clubs, when we lost to Tottenham last season.

"So we go to London, it is an exciting fixture. We are determined to go through.

"When you have a knockout stage it is very important the way you are in February and March, for Tottenham last year we were not at our top because of many injuries we had during the winter period. Within two months a lot of things can change.

Very strong

"Arsenal is a very, very strong side. They have a great player in Robin van Persie, a great manager in Arsene Wenger and a lot of young players coming in.

"It is very important that we play well in Milan and then we come back to London we are in good shape.

"We hope we don't have injuries during the winter break. We are similar, they are Arsenal, it is a great match-up."

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is confident of his side's chances but also admitted he hopes the club are in better shape than when they played Tottenham at the same stage last season.

"We have good possibilities to overcome the round," he added.

"But we must arrive to February in the best conditions and with all the group of players at my disposal, not as it happened last season.

"Anyway, we know the strength of this young and well organised team."