Former MU player helps Arsenal beat Milan beautifully
Two goals from former MU midfielder Mkhitaryan and Ramsey brought Arsenal a 2-0 victory right at AC Milan's field in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. This result helps coach Wenger and his team have one foot in the quarter-finals, because the Gunners will play the second leg at home at Emirates Stadium.
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| Mkhitaryan (left) scored his first goal in an Arsenal shirt. |
Score:Mkhitaryan (14'), Ramsey (45'+4)
Playing at home at San Siro, AC Milan proactively pushed up their attacking formation right after the opening whistle. The red and black striped team did not hide their intention to attack Arsenal but were unsuccessful.
On the other side of the battle line, Arsenal players appeared quite calm and quickly poured "cold water" on AC Milan's heads. Henrikh Mkhitaryan's shot lightly touched Leonardo Bonucci and changed direction, leaving goalkeeper Donnarumma helpless.
With the lead, Coach Wenger's team took the initiative to slow down the pace of the match and waited for the right moment. Meanwhile, the Serie A representative showed haste in attacking and had to pay the price before the first half ended.
Receiving a delicate through ball from Ozil in the 45+4 minute, Aaron Ramsey broke the offside trap, dribbled past goalkeeper Donnarumma before finishing into an empty net. Not long before, Henrikh Mkhitaryan almost completed his own double with a shot that hit the crossbar of the home team's goal.
After the break, AC Milan continued to attack in search of an equalizer. Despite their best efforts, the Rossoneri's attack could not penetrate the Premier League club's defense.
Winning 2-0 away from home, Arsenal created a huge advantage over AC Milan before the rematch in the Europa League round of 16 on March 16.
More importantly, this victory helped the Gunners end a streak of four consecutive defeats in all competitions. Coach Wenger's position was therefore less shaky.
Some pictures of the match:
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| The situation where Mkhitaryan opened the score for Arsenal. |
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| Ramsey's goal made it 2-0 at the end of the first half. |
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| Welbeck had chances but couldn't score. |
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| Milan's attack could not penetrate goalkeeper Ospina's net. |
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| Arsenal have a wide open door to the Europa League quarter-finals. |
Starting lineup:
AC Milan:G Donnarumma; Calabria (Borini 79), Bonucci, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessie, Biglia, Bonaventura; Suso, Cutrone (Silva 69), Calhanoglu (Kalinic 62)
Arsenal: Ospina; Chambers (Elneny 85), Mustafi, Koscielny, Kolasinac (Maitland-Niles 62,); Ramsey, Xhaka, Wilshere; Mkhitaryan, Ozil (Holding 80); Welbeck
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| Europa League round of 16 first leg results. |
