Wenger’s joy, but ‘tie is not over yet’
Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal’s Europa League quarterfinal with CSKA Moscow is far from over – despite a resounding 4-1 first-leg win last night.
First-half doubles from Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette, combined with a man-of-the-match performance from Mesut Ozil, helped the Gunners build a healthy lead ahead of next week’s trip to Russia.
A disappointing season for the north London club hangs on this competition as it is their only chance of securing Champions League qualification and getting their hands on silverware.
But, despite their three-goal aggregate advantage, Wenger is not taking a semi-final spot for granted.
“We scored some great goals in the first half and at halftime the target was not to concede any more and, if possible, add another one,” said the Frenchman. “We did the first part of the job in the second half but not the second part of the job. “On the other hand, it will help us to focus completely in the second game and not think it’s job done, we know it’s not over. “We have to go there with that right focus and try to win the game.”
After Ramsey’s opener, the Russian side briefly levelled through Aleksandr Golovin’s superb free-kick.
French striker Lacazette, making his first start since January, restored the hosts’ lead from the penalty spot and then completed the scoring following Ramsey’s sensational backheeled second.
On a largely positive night for the Gunners, there was a sour point as playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan was forced off injured in the second half.