We’re down for the count

KOSCIELNY: EUROPA LEAGUE IS A MUST-WIN TO SAVE SEASON

LAURENT KOSCIELNY admits Arsenal are trapped in a “negative spiral” and need to win the Europa League to save their season. The Gunners – beaten in their last four games – are in Italy for this evening’s first leg of their Europa League clash with AC Milan. Captain Koscielny (left), who wept during a crisis

meeting last week, said: “We are in a negative spiral and it’s difficult to get out of this. “We have to be positive to have a good result and, step by step, we will come back stronger.” Arsenal have won just six of 21 away games this season. Milan are unbeaten in 13, with clean sheets in their last six matches. Under-fire Arsene Wenger (left) – up against rookie Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso – quipped: “He has a lot of experience and he is doing very well here. I am not doing well, so maybe I can get some advice from him!” Wenger is desperate for Europa League success to save his job – as the FA Cup did last summer. He added: “The difficult patch has increased pressure on us even more in this compeition – but this is an opportunity we have to take.”