Sigh of relief with stroll in the San Siro
IF this Arsenal keep turning up they will have a fighting chance of winning the Europa League. Last night at the San Siro more, Arsene Wenger needed his players to come out swinging. The consequence of a heavy defeat against AC Milan would surely have put him on the brink.
Finally, Arsenal’s players came through for their beleaguered manager, first-half goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey ensuring their latest crisis did not plummet to deeper depths.
Lose against Watford in the Premier League on Sunday and Wenger will face further questions about his future. That is life at the Emirates.
After the two weeks Wenger has endured, he will take anything he can get right now. All of a sudden the Europa League has taken on significant importance for him. Win the competition and qualify for the Champions League and the Frenchman almost certainly keeps his job.
You would have feared for Arsenal if they conceded early. Showing character in adversity is hardly their strong point.
Suso fired into the side netting after finding gaping holes down Arsenal’s left before Hakan Calhanoglu chose to stay on his feet when going down would have given referee Clement Turpin a big decision to make after David Ospina rushed out of his goal.
Arsenal slowly stemmed the tide. Mkhitaryan shot wide after a threatening move including Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil before Danny Welbeck mis-controlled in a dangerous position.
When Arsenal’s opener arrived in the 15th minute, it was somewhat fortuitous. Mkhitaryan’s strike from Ozil’s pass took a big deflection off Leonardo Bonucci before flying past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
But if there is a club and manager who could do with a break at the moment, then it is Arsenal. And just like that, you could see the confidence, gently it has to be said, seep back into Wenger’s men.
AC Milan are much improved since Gennaro Gattuso took over as manager in November. The fact Mkhitaryan’s goal was the first his side have conceded in a month paints a formidable picture.
But after weathering the early storm, Arsenal had the measure of the Italians. That bodes well for the second leg.
Wilshere, playing in the No 10 role, was having the sort of influence that will surely see him handed an England recall when Gareth Southgate names his squad next week for friendlies against Holland and Italy.
Ozil was strutting around like he owned the San Siro while Mkhitaryan was proving a real handful as he ventured in from the left hand side. Calum Chambers forced Donnarumma into a good save at his near post before Welbeck fired straight at the Milan goalkeeper when sent clean through in the 43rd minute.
A second goal would not have flattered Arsenal either. They came close again seconds later, Mkhitaryan thumping his effort off the bar after a rapid counter-attack led by Welbeck.
But Wenger’s men were not to be denied another before half-time and again Ozil was the instigator, his slide rule pass unlocking Milan’s defence allowing Ramsey to round Donnrumma before tapping home.
Gattuso stood in his technical area with steam coming out of his ears. Half-time would not have been pretty for Milan’s players.
But they were up against a team who were in the groove. Finally. Milan mustered a promising response in the second half, Bonaventura firing over before Suso fired wide from a good position in the closing stages.
But even then, it was Welbeck who missed the best opportunity of the second half, failing to finish after Franck Kessie’s awful back pass.
Why can’t it be this easy every week, Arsene? AC MILAN (4-3-3): G Donnarumma 6; Calabria 6.5 (Borini 79min), Bonucci 6, Romagnoli 5.5, Rodriguez 6; Kessie 5.5, Biglia 5.5, Bonaventura 6; Suso 6, Cutrosa 6 (Silva 69, 5.5), Calhanoglu 6 (Kalinic 62, 6). Subs not used: A Donnarumma, Zapata, Montolivo, Locatelli. Booked: None. Manager: Gennaro Gattuso 5.5. ARSENAL (4-3-2-1): Ospina 6.5; Chambers 7 (Elneny 85), Mustafi 6.5, Koscielny 7, Kolasinac 6.5 (Maitland-Niles 62, 6); Ramsey 7.5, Xhaka 7, Wilshere 7.5; Mkhitaryan 7.5, OZIL 8 (Holding 80); Welbeck 6.5. Subs not used: Cech, Iwobi, Nelson Nketiah. Scorers: Mkhitaryan 15, Ramsey 45. Booked: Kolasinac, Ramsey. Manager: Arsene Wenger 7. Referee: Clement Turpin (Fra) 6.5. Attendance: 72,821.