Can Europe's veterans overcome Wenger's young guns?

As Milan are preparing for their defence of their European title in the midst of a goalkeeping injury crisis only one question remains and that is; can the oldies of Milan beat the young stars of Arsenal?

The current European Champions come into Wednesday's tie on a string of disappionting results, after drawing to both Livorno and Parma this past week, both teams are lying low in Serie A and both are potential candidates for relegation.

The gunners, too, come into the game on the back of a shocking 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in the 5th round of the FA Cup which saw them elliminated from the tournament. However, Arsenal will claim that they had only half the team at their disposal as they, too, have been struck with a terrible injury crisis.

A question however does remain over who Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti will field in goal on Wednesday night as both Nelson Dida and Zejlko Kalac are out with a back and finger injury respectively.

The Australian international dislocated his index finger during training on Sunday morning and should he not take part in Ancelotti's practise session at the Emirates stadium he will be replaced by third choice goalkeeper Valerio Fiori, who has only started two games in his seven years at Milan.

"Kalac?" Carlo Ancelotti replied." Simply if he is in the right condition he will play. For a goalkeeper a finger is important, therefore we shall have to evaluate his conditions, otherwise Fiori will play."

The ex-Parma coach then went on to comment about the game and his team's opponent;

"For tomorrow I expect a very balanced and very difficult game for both teams. Arsenal is a team which plays well, very dynamic and which plays a very offensive football and has a lot of enthusiasm. I think that Milan must play in its own way, with courage and personality, without leaving anything in their hands."

However it is not only the rossoneri coach that needs to worry about his injuries, Arsene Wenger has his own problems, too, to deal with after having a long injury list that has seen nearly half the team in the doctor's rooms.

Nevertheless, Wenger will take some pleasure in knowing that he can recall midfielder Mathieu Flamini, striker Emmanuel Adebayor and fullback Gael Clichy.

"We are underdogs, by a little bit," Wenger said. "We have the toughest draw of the English teams ... and this game will define whether or not we can win the Champions League"

It is a game which will see the experience of Milan battling it out against the youth of Arsenal, Kaka against Fabregas, Gattuso against Flamini... it breathes class.