Arsène Wenger has challenged his young players to prove that they are on the path to greatness in the intimidating surroundings of the San Siro this evening. The Arsenal manager accepts that his team are the underdogs against AC Milan, the champions, but he is taking heart from the fact that Arsenal are one of a select band of teams across Europe to have lost only one league match this season. Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are among the others.

Wenger insists that Arsenal’s relative inexperience is more than compensated for by their class and character. The Frenchman responded strongly to largely flattering comments yesterday from Arrigo Sacchi, the former Milan coach, who branded Arsenal’s obsession with flowing football narcissistic. “Many people have said we’re too young and naive,” Wenger said. “For a young side we’re quite consistent.

“When I spoke to [Marcel] Desailly [the former Milan, Chelsea and France defender] after the [first leg] he said Milan were absolutely amazed by our quality, but they think we should have taken advantage of our superiority. That can happen in the game and it’s not always down to inexperience. It’s down to the form on the day.”

Arsenal’s defence is weakened by the absence of Kolo Touré, who suffered knee ligament damage in the goalless first leg at the Emirates Stadium, but Robin van Persie could play for the first time in two months after recovering from a thigh injury.

“I believe this team will produce, no matter what happens,” Wenger said. “It will be a great side. If you ask me, no matter what happens, we are as strong as Milan. This team will achieve great things.

“If you look at what people said before the season, we have already overachieved. Now, no matter what we do, it’ll never be enough. I’m very proud of what the team has done until now, but I’m sure that I’ll be prouder at the end of the season.”

Arsenal’s task is put into context by the fact that Milan have not lost to English opposition in the San Siro, with Manchester United able to attest to the power of their stranglehold after last year’s 3-0 defeat in the semi-final, second leg. Yesterday, Carlo Ancelotti called on his players to reproduce that magical performance. “We always dream of playing as we did against Manchester United and it’s not impossible for us to do that,” the Milan coach said — but Wenger is hoping that they will resemble the team beaten by Empoli and AS Roma at home this season.

“I feel many teams have given them problems, particularly at the San Siro,” Wenger said. “We’re conscious, though, that they will raise their level for this game. They’re a team who can choose this competition, but we should be encouraged that other teams have done reasonably well at the San Siro.

“They have players like Inzaghi, Pato, Kaká or Pirlo who can hit you if you drop too deep, so we need to be disciplined but audacious as well.”