AC Milan's stars are put through their paces by boss Gennaro Gattuso ahead of Arsenal's Europa League visit

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AC Milan ramped up their preparations to face Arsenal in the Europa League last-16 on Thursday as boss Gennaro Gattuso lead by example in training. 

The charismatic Italian manager took over as manager at the end of November and has since lost only three of 19 matches in charge of the Rossoneri, with the team presently on a 12-match unbeaten run.

And with Arsenal on a poor run of form amid calls for Arsene Wenger to step down, the Italians are looking to deepen the Gunners' woes at the San Siro.

Leonardo Bonnuci is expected to play a crucial role for Milan against Arsenal on Thursday

Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso showed his players how it is done during training on Wednesday 

Young striker Patrick Cutrone will need to be efficient if Arsenal go on to dominate possession

Much is expected of young striker Patrick Cutrone who scored Milan's opener in the last round against Ludogorets.

He and experienced defender Leonardo Bonnuci will be pivotal to Milan's solid spine and with Gattuso expecting the visitors to look to dominate possession, his stars need to be switched on and efficient when they have the ball.

'It will be an interesting match, with more of a new philosophy like mine against him and his experience,' the Milan legend said at his press conference. 'He likes to play a style based heavily on possession.

'Arsenal is a technical team that doesn't like defensive transitions. We'll have to do well not to suffer from what they do, and then make them run when we have the ball.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is put through his paces at the Milanello Sport Center

Gattuso spoke highly of Arsene Wenger but believes his side can cause them lots of problems

Both have struggled in the league and see the Europa League as an entry to Champions League

'We can't be afraid of the 70,000 crowd [at the San Siro], we need to play with great technical and physical quality. If we can do that we can cause them a lot of problems.'

Both sides have flattered to deceive domestically and see the Europa League as their only viable entry to next season's Champions League. 

Milan are currently seventh in the Serie A title, some eight points off the Champions League places, but have reached the final of the Coppa Italia, where they will play Juventus on May 9.

Wenger's side however sit sixth, 13 points adrift of north London rivals Tottenham in fourth and the Frenchman is believed to need to win the Europa League to salvage the season and his job.