ARSENAL TEST LIES IN WAIT FOR BUOYANT MILAN

LONDON: AC Milan’s superb recent run faces a stiff test against Arsenal in the Europa League last-16 first leg in Italy on Thursday amid a backdrop of murky finances which are threatening one of Italy’s most successful clubs.

Former AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has turned around the fortunes of the struggling former European power, with his side unbeaten in 13 games. But behind the scenes European football’s governing body UEFA have voiced concerns over the club’s complicated financial situation under their new Chinese owners.

There have been questions about the financial stability of the Chinese-led consortium that purchased the club from Silvio Berlusconi for €740 million last April, spending more than 200 million euros on new players in the summer.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are in crisis, having lost eight of their last 13 games in all competitions, to sit sixth in the Premier League, with the Europa League representing their only remaining chance of success.