LONDON - Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal will play with the "hand-brake" off when they take on Champions League holders AC Milan in the "ultimate test" at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Gunners boss admitted the mood in the camp had been somewhat "quiet" earlier this week following their 4-0 thrashing in the FA Cup tie at Manchester United.
However, there can be no better way to respond than taking on the European champions - and Wenger remains confident his young squad have both the temperament and talent to produce a result which to defend at the San Siro in a fortnight's time.
"We want to continue to be guided by the way we play football more than having a reaction," said Wenger.
"Sometimes you forget how good you are when you have a big disappointment.
"Who wouldn't be hurt by a defeat like that? The players were hurt and disappointed as well.
"We want to be the best possible, but it was a bad day at the office and that can happen.
"This is such a big game, such a massive task, that we can forget about Saturday.
"Everybody is up for this game and focused on the way we want to play.
"It is the ultimate test for us, because we are in the position of challengers tomorrow.
"Milan are the Champions League holders. They have quality and experience.
"We are a team who can challenge them and can beat them - but we all know we need to be at our best to beat them."
Wenger declared: "What is important is that we play without the handbrake on and go into the match with desire.
"We have to play free of pressure and I believe we will do that.
"We can express our talents in a game of this magnitude. I believe we will do that."
Despite their comprehensive defeat at the hands of United, the Gunners remain in the driving seat in the race for the Barclays Premier League title, with a lead of some five points.
Wenger believes the disappointing result could actually have a positive effect.
"Elimination on Saturday clarifies things very well. The targets in front of us are massive, but they're in front of us," he said.
"We are in a very good position. Now it's down to quality.
"We are playing against the best. Milan have shown they have a great record in this competition and they are consistent in this competition, so this is a good chance to show our quality.
"We first of all owe everybody a good performance - and the fans most of all. They were magnificent in Manchester.
"I believe as well that our players, throughout the season, have given a lot of joy to our fans."
Arsenal were anything but their usual cohesive self at Old Trafford, notably at the back where central defensive partners William Gallas and Kolo Toure - just back from the African Nations Cup - looked at times as if they had never played together.
Wenger accepts there will be little margin for error in what is now a straight knockout over two legs.
"You play more with pressure not to make a stupid mistake. Every goal now can be decisive, which is not the case in the group stage," he said.
"This is a cup competition now, where was before, it was a championship competition."
Jens Lehmann will continue in goal tomorrow, as Manuel Almunia battles back to fitness from a virus.
Milan have something of a keeper crisis, with Zeljko Kalac a major doubt because of a dislocated finger.
With regular number one Dida already out with a back injury, 38-year-old Valerio Fiori is likely to be thrown into the thick of the action, even though he has not played in an official match for the Rossoneri since December 18 2003.
Wenger, though, is not reading too much into team selection.
He insisted: "To beat Milan, you have to be at your best. Can we take any advantage of a weakness in their team? I don't go into the match thinking about that."
Wenger added: "I don't believe we are favourites because Milan have such an outstanding record in his competition.
"Their average age is older, but that can be an advantage as well. You saw last season that the player who made the difference most of the time was Kaka.
"You don't look at the passport too much - I like that idea at my age - but look at the quality. Super quality dies a little bit later."
AC Milan vs. Arsenal: Head-to-Head
With Arsenal looking to keep alive hopes of an audacious league and cup double and their Italian opponents hoping to secure European glory to make up for what has been a highly-disappointing Serie A campaign, this promises to be a fascinating clash.
Here, PA Sport compares the combatants.
MANAGERS
Both men can boast CVs to rival the very best coaches on the continent, with Arsene Wenger justifiably earning a reputation as one of the most studious, cerebral bosses in the business.
Famed for his fine record in the transfer market and a preference for stylish attacking football, the Frenchman's teams are never less than entertaining to watch.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, is the longest-serving manager in Serie A.
He has decorated his time at the San Siro with two Champions League victories and a Scudetto and has surrounded himself with a host of experienced campaigners well-suited to knockout competition.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
Arsenal have never quite become the European force under Wenger that the Frenchman would have hoped. They fell at the final hurdle in the 2006 Champions League to Barcelona and were UEFA Cup runners-up in 2000. The Gunners won the 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup under George Graham and the 1970 Fairs Cup.
Milan are a bona-fide powerhouse in the competition, with seven European titles (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003 and 2007) and a further four final appearances.
FORM
Four wins from their last four league outings and a five-point gap at the summit suggest the form of the Gunners' first XI is as good as could be hoped going into the clash.
But there has been vulnerability in the cups of late, though, with the 5-1 demolition by Tottenham and Manchester United's morale-sapping 4-0 FA Cup win still fresh in the mind.
The Rossoneri are unbeaten in six domestically, but two draws and three victories by a single goal show they are hardly at their most dominant.
AC Milan vs. Arsenal: Key Battles
While spirits at the Emirates Stadium are generally high due to a five-point lead over rivals Manchester United in the Premier League, their recent 4-0 humbling by the Red Devils in the FA Cup means an improvement is necessary against Milan.
Here PA Sport considers where the match will be won and lost.
WILLIAM GALLAS v FILIPPO INZAGHI
Captain Gallas has quickly settled into the role of defensive leader under Arsene Wenger, forging a tight partnership with Kolo Toure in the middle and becoming an increasingly vocal presence in his side's bid for honours. He did not enjoy his finest hour in the cup capitulation to United and will have to be more alert if he is to thwart the sniping tendencies of Inzaghi.
The former Italy forward has enjoyed some of the most productive years of his career in recent times and, having scored twice in last year's Champions League final success over Liverpool, has gained a liking for European nights.
CESC FABREGAS v KAKA
Two players with talent to burn and reputations to match, the battle for midfield supremacy should be intense. Fabregas has flourished in a new-found authority this year and can claim the honour of being one of Arsene Wenger's senior lieutenants despite his tender age.
His surging runs are dangerous enough to draw defenders away from other threats and Milan will have to close him down early to prevent him gaining confidence. Kaka, meanwhile, remains a mercurial talent. He can turn match-winner at any time has the ability to inspire team-mates with his array of crowd-pleasing tricks.
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR v ALESSANDRO NESTA
Adebayor has seen his stock rise exponentially this season as, like so many of Wenger's young Gunners, he has emerged from the shadow of Thierry Henry. His aerial ability has given the side a new option in attack while his success in leading the line has brought their talented midfield to the fore.
Nesta, though, is a vastly experienced campaigner and has both the presence and mental sharpness to stop the Togo man's supply at source.
