Martin Keown reckons that Arsenal have more than enough talent in their locker to beat AC Milan in the Europa League this month, as long as they show the same spirit as the Serie A side.

Former Milan player, Gennaro Gattuso, has managed to drag the Italian club back from the brink of crisis this year. Although Milan are still seventh in the Serie A table, they’re unbeaten in 13 games and have kept a clean sheet during the last six.

Still, Arsenal legend Keown reckons his old team have what it takes to beat Gattuso’s men – they just need to show the same heart.

“I watched Milan’s Coppa Italia tie where they beat Lazio on penalties after a 0-0 draw,” Keown said in his Tackle Keown segment for the Daily Mail.

“While I did not see any real superstars in the Milan side, they were incredibly hardworking.

Gennaro Gattuso
(MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images)

“Gennaro Gattuso was a dog of war as a player and has got Milan snarling. There seems to be more heart in the club and a passion in their play.

“This morning, I wrote that these were the qualities that Arsenal need to find.

“If Arsenal can match Milan’s spirit, they are more than good enough to beat them.”

Heart isn’t something that Arsenal seem to have a lot of this season. Far from it. In fact, the majority of their current players seem to somehow be functioning without one.

This is why a large section of Arsenal fans are actually worried about the Europa League clashes against Milan this month. If our side can’t beat Östersunds FK at the Emirates, are we really going to beat a Milan team that’s on the up?

Of course, I want to be optimistic and when Arsenal turn it on, we are capable of beating Milan. That’s not the issue. The issue is whether we will bother to turn it on or not.