Arsenal 3-1 AC Milan (Aggregate 5-1): Player Ratings
Scoreline: Arsenal (Welbeck 39', 86', Xhaka 71') 3-1 AC Milan (Calhanoglu 35')
Thursday night's Europa League clash between Arsenal and AC Milan saw the Premier League side book their place in the quarter-final stage of the competition with a 3-1 win over AC Milan (5-1 on aggregate).
Arsenal controlled proceedings in the first half but were stunned by a brilliant strike from Hakan Calhanoglu who beat a struggling David Ospina with a swerving shot from outside the box. The Gunners were rewarded with a controversial penalty few minutes before half-time which was calmly dispatched by Danny Welbeck.
The second half saw goals from Granit Xhaka and Welbeck secure a solid 3-1 victory over the visitors. Here's how the players fared during the game.
AC Milan
Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6/10
Donnarumma made a number of fine saves in the first half but was at fault for conceding the second goal after Xhaka's shot crept under his body and went in. His night got worse when Welbeck headed in from close range in the 86th minute.
Fabio Borini - 6/10
It was a decent defensive display from Fabio Borini who made a number of interceptions, thereby keeping the likes of Monreal, Mkhitaryan in check during the first half. However, he wasn't too effective while going forward.
Leonardo Bonucci - 6/10
Bonucci commanded his defence well and made it difficult for Arsenal's forwards to cause harm while entering the final third. The Italian cannot be blamed for the concession of any goal and was unlucky not to get an assist after Kalinic headed the ball off his wonderful cross straight into the hands of Ospina.
Alessio Romagnoli - 5/10
The Italian started off the game impressively keeping things tight at the back along with Bonucci. However, the Italian lost possession to Mkhitaryan in a vital position which went unpunished and he looked a bit shaky after the break.
Ricardo Rodriguez - 4/10
Rodriguez was caught out of possession and dribbled past by Bellerin on many occasions. He was well marshalled by the right-hand side of Arsenal's defence and thereby could not contribute offensively.
Riccardo Montilivo - 4/10
Montolivo looked quite insipid in midfield against the Gunners. The Italian did not seem to threaten Arsenal while on the attack and did not offer any support to Milan's forwards.
Franck Kessie - 6/10
Unlike his midfield partner, Kessie made a number of interceptions and had tried hard to create an impact on the game. Kessie provided the perfect link between defence and attack with his simple passing.
Suso - 5/10
Suso started the game in lively fashion but failed to impose himself as he was kept in check by Nacho Monreal. The Spaniard withered away as the game progressed, with most of his passes going astray. Suso was needlessly booked in the second half for simulation.
Hakan Calhanoglu - 5/10
Calhanoglu gave his side the lead with a fantastic strike from outside the box in the 36th minute. Other than that, the Turkish international remained anonymous and was taken off in the 70th minute.
Andre Silva - 3/10
Silva had an absolutely poor outing at the Emirates and was caught offside on six occasions in the first half itself. The Portuguese virtually did nothing to help his side reduce arrears.
Patrick Cutrone - 4/10
The Italian made some runs behind Arsenal's defence but did not receive enough supply from midfield. His dull display saw him subbed off in the 67th minute.
Substitutions:
Nikola Kalinic - 4/10
Kalinic had a perfect chance to give his side the lead with his header falling straight into the hands of David Ospina. Other than that, Kalinic did not effectively contribute much as Arsenal ended up winning 3-1.
Giacomo Bonaventura- 3/10
Bonaventura replaced Calhanoglu in the 70th minute but failed to create any sort of impact during his time on the pitch.
Manuel Locatelli - N/A
Locatelli was brought on eleven minutes from time when the tie was effectively over.