Welbeck double clinches Gunners last-eight spot
Danny Welbeck scored twice against AC Milan to toast his England recall by sending Arsenal into the last eight of the Europa League.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Italy, the Gunners were shaken by Hakan Calhanoglu’s long-range strike, but hit back to win 3-1 on the night.
Welbeck levelled with just his third goal in 26 games by winning and converting a very dubious penalty before heading home from point-blank range after Granit Xhaka’s tame strike had put the hosts ahead.
Arsene Wenger’s side had fallen at the last-16 stage in their last seven Champions League campaigns but have at least gone one better in this tournament as they won a European knockout tie at home for the first time since seeing off the same opponents here in 2012.
Andre Silva, who scored a last-minute winner for Milan in their Serie A victory at Genoa on Sunday, had a great chance to reduce the arrears inside the opening minute, but the Portugal international could only hit the side-netting when played in.
Arsenal settled after that early scare despite losing captain Laurent Koscielny to an early injury. However, Milan got themselves back in the tie as Calhanoglu fired home from distance.
Arsenal’s reply was almost instantaneous, Aaron Ramsey forcing a smart stop from Gigio Donnarumma before Welbeck was awarded a contentious penalty. The striker got the wrong side of Ricardo Rodriguez and went to ground, referee Jonas Erikssonpointingtothespotdespite minimal, if any, contact. Welbeck sent Donnarumma the wrong way from the spot
Jack Wilshere came close to killing the tie before the break as he stung the palms of Donnarumma with a 25-yard drive.
The tie was wrapped up when Xhaka fired in a tame long-range effort which Donnarumma inexplicably could not keep out, instead pushing the ball into the corner to put Arsenal ahead on the night.
Welbeck then nodded home late on following a smart cross by Wilshere, who celebrated his own England recall with a man-of-the-match display.
Arsenal were far better than Milan over two legs but Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Sporting Lisbon await in today’s quarter-final draw. ARSENAL: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny (Chambers 11), Monreal, Ozil, Ramsey, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan (Elneny 69), Wilshere, Welbeck. Subs Not Used: Cech, Iwobi, Maitland-niles, Kolasinac, Nketiah.. AC MILAN: Gi Donnarumma, Borini, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Rodriguez, Kessie (Locatelli 79), Calhanoglu (Bonaventura 70), Montolivo, Suso, Cutrone (Kalinic 67), Andre Silva. Subs Not Used: Storari, Zapata, Biglia, Musacchio.