Arsenal urged to show 'spirit of Milan'

LONDON, England -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on his players to recapture the "spirit of Milan" as they bid to reach the Champions League last-four with a win over Liverpool.

"That is what is needed and wanted. We have to go into the game with the same positive attitude," said Wenger on the eve of Tuesday's second leg tie when the sides resume quarterfinal battle locked at 1-1 on aggregate.

Having come through a severe test to silence the AC Milan faithful at the San Siro in the last round, the Frenchman insists his young side can cope with the added pressure of the Anfield cauldron.

Wenger, who also declared his side can still win the Premier League title, said: "We have belief we can win everywhere in the world."

He added: "They (Liverpool) have the support, but it's down to us to keep the crowd quiet. It is difficult here because they are a little bit louder than anywhere else, and they have had a bit more stamina than anywhere else -- but we will try."

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is set to return to the starting line-up and Robin van Persie is also included in an 18-man squad after being substituted at half-time in the first leg draw with a recurrence of the thigh injury which has sidelined him for much of this year.

"It will be a very exciting game and of course, both teams will be under pressure," said Wenger whose side were also held at home by Liverpool 1-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.

"There will be a bit more urgency in this game than in the previous matches. I would like to score early goals, as many as we can, but if we need to be patient, we will be.

"However, we will try to play the game to win it rather than go to penalties."

Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez maintained: "We are confident. We have been playing well in recent games and have been getting the results. The performances have been good. That is what we have been looking for at this stage of the season.

"But we are not favorites, not with the the quality players they have. But this will be different from the first leg, because playing at Anfield is a massive difference.

"And they need to win. It could well be an attacking game. It is important for the club and for me to progress. We have been working hard to get to this point all season, so it is important for all of us."

Although Benitez believes Arsenal are experienced despite the suggestions that they have too many youngsters, he predicts that they could suffer just as Chelsea did in the famous 2005 semifinal at Anfield.

He said: "You could feel the atmosphere against Chelsea in the semifinal, and I expect that to be the same this time. Our fans can also hold the key.

"I saw Chelsea affected by the Kop, it was clear. Hopefully it will be the same again."

Benitez will only be missing winger Jermaine Pennant from his squad as the former Arsenal man picked up a hamstring injury at the Emirates on Saturday.

Daniel Agger and Harry Kewell are long-term absentees, and Benitez will recall all the big guns rested at the weekend. Javier Mascherano, suspended for the league game at Arsenal, will definitely return. E-mail to a friend