The Gunners last hope for a somewhat successful season is in the Europa League. The draw threw AC Milan their way and Arsenal were able to take them down at the San Siro.
Arsenal took on AC Milan for the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16. The first match between the two former giants of European football since 2012 ended with a 2-0 win for Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger’s side played very well, something we are not used to. Henrik Mkhitaryan scored his first goal for the Gunners with this deflected shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma. It’s the first goal Milan have conceded in six matches.
Arsenal get on the scoresheet first!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 8, 2018
Mkhitaryan's shot takes a deflection past Donnarumma to give Arsenal the lead and a big away goal. pic.twitter.com/dBDzaQy0NO
They did not stop. An offense led by Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil got shots off against an underwhelming Milan defense. Aaron Ramsey’s icing on the cake late in the first half got Arsenal a crucial second away goal. This goal is classic Gunners. A delicate through ball from Ozil, giving Ramsey the easiest chance to score. A welcome sight for Arsenal fans.
AC Milan hadn't conceded a goal in their last 6 matches...
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 8, 2018
Ramsey made it 2 goals against in the first half of this Europa League tie. pic.twitter.com/wTM3fcGxQU
Arsenal ends a 4-match losing streak with the away victory. Their last two wins have come in the Europa League, something that should be looked at positively. The best performances for Wenger’s men have come in Europe. Arsene Wenger has been able to hold onto the job at the Emirates from winning last-minute trophies. The Europa League could be the last minute trophy for Arsenal.
The massive 2-0 away win isn’t the only result that went in favor of Arsenal’s title chances. UEL favorite Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 at Signal Iduna Park to Red Bull Salzburg. Dortmund could still pull through but Arsenal would be happy to see Dortmund go early.
AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal Match Stats:
AC Milan | Stat | Arsenal |
| 0 | Goals | 2 |
| 51% | Possession | 49% |
| 82% | Pass Accuracy | 82% |
| 532 | Total Passes | 529 |
| 16 | Total Shots | 8 |
| 1 | Shots on Target | 4 |
| 10 | Corners | 3 |
| 17 | Tackles | 9 |
| 0 | Offsides | 1 |
| 8 | Fouls | 13 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
This match told the story of two clubs looking to rise to heights. AC Milan and Arsenal were both powerhouses and both are on similar paths with key differences. The Gunners have gone out and purchased high-quality talent up-front. AC Milan has not. Milan has managed just 37 goals in Serie A compared to Arsenal’s 52. For Milan to become an Italian giant again, they will need to buy a top-class striker.
The second leg at the Emirates could go either way. Arsenal is a team prone to meltdowns while Milan is a team that is prone to be brilliant when it wants to. Both teams will play once this weekend before meeting again next Thursday. Who knows? 5 years from now, this could be a Champions League match once again.