5 things we learned from AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has been a man of surprises this season, and it was no different when Arsenal travelled to Italy for their Europa League round of 16 fixture - only this time, it was for the good.
The Gunners thoroughly outplayed an in-form AC Milan, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey helped them to a 2-0 win away from home, their first victory in the last 5 games across all competitions.
A lot was expected off AC Milan coming into this fixture considering their current run of form - unbeaten in their last 13 games - but Arsenal made short work of l Rossoneri, and will be the favourites to go through to the next round.
#1 Milan's lack of control in midfield
Arsenal's midfield was vastly superior in most regards to the home team - 2 goals coming from their midfield; 8 total dribbles completed (Mkhitaryan alone contributing to 5 of them) and 8 aerial duels won compared to Milan's 5 from midfield.
It was only in the tackling department that they fell behind - Biglia and Kessie combining to make 14 tackles compared to just 4 from Mkhitaryan and Ramsey.
Of the three, only Biglia delivered a fine performance, while the other two suffered their way through the match. Kessie, in particular, was almost responsible for a third Arsenal goal - his violently astray pass falling straight to Welbeck, but was thwarted by a hurrying Donnarumma.
If Milan are to win the second leg, and it is a big if, their midfield needs to be more solid. Not much can be changed in a week, but they could at least minimize errors and try to string together better passes.