Mesut Ozil was the difference for Arsenal, as his two assists at the San Siro helped the Gunners to a 2-0 lead in the first leg of this week’s Europa League last-16 clash.
The 29-year-old laid on the ball to Henrikh Mkhitaryan around the penalty area, before the Armenian international rifled a deflected effort past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Mkhitaryan with a great strike to give Arsenal the lead against Milan. 1-0 pic.twitter.com/xYgQKzXwHz
— Terje (@TerjeGIFs) March 8, 2018
Arsenal doubled their advantage before the break, with Aaron Ramsey latching onto a through ball from Ozil, rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into an empty net.
Ramsey makes it 2-0 against Milan just before half-time. Brilliant through ball from Özil pic.twitter.com/WJQSLD7sBB
— Terje (@TerjeGIFs) March 8, 2018
Despite Milan trying to halve the deficit to give themselves hope going into the second leg, Arsene Wenger’s men held firm for a rare away win, courtesy of Ozil’s assist brace.
The result means Arsenal are in pole position to reach the quarter-finals, now having to face Milan with home advantage and a two-goal lead on aggregate.
With the Gunners out of the title race, top-four race, FA Cup and League Cup, the Europa League was Arsenal’s only hope of getting Champions League football for next season.
They have one foot in the last eight and need to get the job done at the Emirates.
