Final fling will be big test of fans’ boycott

shot which caught keeper David Ospina off guard and flew into the far corner.

But what happened next caused absolute astonishment. Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan played the ball through to Welbeck, he pushed it past Ricardo Rodriguez in the box, then went diving spectacularly to the floor. Diving being the key word.

Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson did not react but then, to the amazement of the Milan players, the additional assistant behind the goal indicated for a foul.

Incredibly, Eriksson then pointed to the spot, the Milan players went wild and Arsenal were given a penalty, which Welbeck despatched on 39 minutes.

But no matter how many TV replays were shown, no one could make out any contact and the Italians were still, quite understandably, going mad as the players went off at half time.

The shameful part about the dive was that it sucked the life out of the game. Milan’s hope was distinguished, their manager Gennaro Gattuso lost his head on the touchline, and the players knew their chance had gone.

Almost as if to rub salt in the wounds, Milan’s Spanish forward Suso was booked for diving and Eriksson shook his head as he did it because, ultimately, officials know when they have dropped a clanger.

Arsenal got another big slice of luck after 71 minutes when, 25 yards out, Granit Xhaka hit a longrange shot. It should have been straightforward for Donnarumma and yet the Milan keeper spilled the ball and it sprung up and trickled into the net.

Donnarumma has been tipped as a potential successor to Gianluigi Buffon as Italy’s next No.1 but, on this evidence, they better try and persuade the Juventus legend not to give up just yet.

That was game over. Welbeck then finally got another goal after 86 minutes with a close-range header to leave some Arsenal fans chanting his name. But they may change their minds when they see the replays of his first.

Danny Welbeck levels for the Gunners after a terrible dive (below) to fool ref Jonas Eriksson Arsenal take the lead after Donnarumma makes a terrible hash of Granit Xhaka’s shot HIGH above the stand opposite the press box, the lights were so blinding...