What a draw for a team under the most scrutiny compared to all other Premier League teams, in European competitions. Arsenal has a massive hill to overcome if they to gain Europa glory.
Call it luck, call it okay, Arsenal’s loss to Ostersund was a massive eye-opener for the manager. He was up by three goals on the return to Emirates, and then lost at home by two goals to one.
If he had taken leave from the cup – surely his time at the club could have ended. Good on his team for keeping them alive, despite a 2-1 loss.
After Arsenal’s rivals, Manchester United set the bar in the last Europa tournament by winning. Wenger and his men have been under loads of criticism to be able to follow and equal the European glory.
Next: Chelsea keep up with the pace
BREAKING: @Arsenal have been drawn with @acmilan in the @EuropaLeague last-16. They will travel to Italy for the first leg. #ssn pic.twitter.com/skwAgYl866
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 23, 2018
Next: Saturday roundup of FA Cup
In the Gunners defence – the caliber of teams fighting for the trophy this term are far more superior – compared to when Manchester lifted the trophy. However, this doesn’t give Wenger the right to accept defeat when facing tough opposition.
In the events of all things Arsenal, one has to think, this is their only ticket into the top competition of Europe, the Champions League. Inevitably, leaving Wenger no choice but to concentrate on their next two legs, above all else.
Thankfully their Carabao Cup Final is this weekend – giving them time to adjust to this ballbuster of a match.
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Who are the Gunners next hurdle in the Europa League Round of 16
Anyhow, in saying this, Arsenal’s next test is that of higher grade compared to the last opponents – who nearly handed them an exit. Their next opponents are Italian giants, AC Milan.
Before now, AC could have been labelled as the Arsenal of the Serie A league. They too, have been missing for a long spell from the Champions League, and has the same goal insight as the English club.
Next: Saturday Matchday 27 roundup
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/967035090973978624
Next: Matchday 27 Sunday roundup
What stands against Arsenal now that the draws complete – Milan has been on an 11 game undefeated run, and enjoys the spoils of a first leg, home tie. Not what Wenger needs right now, while they suffer from notable, inconsistency.
Whether or not they’ll win, is up to them. Going for silverware in recent time, Arsenal has been good to the goal – however, if you take their European form in the other hand, you’d think, no hope at all.
All because of the draw and how it fits for AC Milan, we could be witnessing the exit of the Gunners from the Europa League.