Arsenal players rated after their huge win against AC Milan
Hosting the second leg of the UEFA Europa League clash, Arsenal were two goals up after the first leg held at San Siro. The vital match at the Emirates saw an exciting first half played out in front of the nearly full Emirates. The Gunners emerged as victors having finally won a round of 16 match after seven seasons.
AC Milan broke the deadlock out of nowhere, as Hakan Calhanoglu scored a screamer from far. Minutes later, Danny Welbeck went down soft when Ricardo Rodriguez caught him in Milan's penalty box.
Also read - Arsenal: Weekly wages of first-team stars revealed
The Englishman converted the penalty he won as Gianluigi Donnarumma jumped the wrong way. Welbeck went on to score his second goal late in the second half. Granit Xhaka was the other player who scored for Arsenal to ensure his team goes through.
On that note, here is a look at how all the Arsenal players performed:
David Ospina - 7/10
Ospina was poor in some of his clearances in the first half. However, the goal from AC Milan was undoubtedly not his fault. As much as he could have gotten down quicker, no one had expected Calhanoglu to score from afar.
Calhanoglu's team-mates were too caught by surprise by how their team took the lead. Ospina did well with his reflex saves in both halves of the match but on the whole, he could have done better in his clearances.
Hector Bellerin - 7/10
Called to the starting line-up after an injury, Bellerin had to keep Andre Silva and Ricardo Rodriguez quiet. The Portuguese forward was energetic when charging forward but Bellerin succeeded in his duties.
Supporting the attack when he could, Bellerin could have taken slightly more initiative in driving the ball down. Rather, Bellerin stopped outside the penalty box, seeking to deliver passes to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jack Wilshere. He improved his attacking play in the second half.
Laurent Koscielny - N/A
Koscielny was forced out due to an injury early in the match after he landed awkwardly from defending a corner. It looked like an injury to his hip and he may miss matches for the French national team.
Shkodran Mustafi - 7.5/10
The German was intelligent in his tackles and interceptions. He worked hard to coordinate the backline and ensured everyone was calm in their positions. In the second half, he had a chance to score a header from Mesut Ozil's corner. Unfortunately, it was over the bar.
Nacho Monreal - 7/10
Back in the lineup after missing a number of matches due to a string of injuries, the Spaniard did well in his passes and attack. However, the full-back ought to have improved in blocking Silva's chip to his fellow forward and the former should have gotten back to his position earlier. It had been a positive return for him.
Aaron Ramsey - 7/10
Unlike his stellar performance in the previous week, Ramsey failed to live up to the expectations set for him. Although he was eager to get forward, the Welshman lost possession frequently and even sky-rocketed his shot in the second half.
His game improved in the second half as he permitted to advance when Mohamed Elneny came on for Mkhitaryan. Overall, Ramsey was a little wasteful in his chances.
Granit Xhaka - 8/10
In a matured and disciplined showing, Granit Xhaka did exactly what he has been expected to do all the time. He worked dutifully hard in aiding the defenders and made a few crucial blocks.
In the second half, the Swiss international printed his name on the scoresheet. Xhaka tried for a shot on goal. While Donnarumma should have saved it with ease, the young Italian goalkeeper failed to clear his lines. It was a deserved reward for the hardworking player.
Jack Wilshere - 7.5/10
Wilshere performed better in the second 45 minutes of the game. He drove the ball to the by-line, before an accurate cross for Ramsey to score. Although the number 8 did not score, it laid the path for Danny Welbeck to score his brace.
The English international enjoyed keeping the ball so much so that at times, it made him vulnerable to tackles from AC Milan's players. Wilshere should have moved the ball at a faster pace in his game.
Mesut Ozil - 7.5/10
Mesut Ozil was less influential than expected. Following a brilliant performance against the same opponents in the first leg, Ozil had a harder time in finding his way out and reaching Welbeck this time around. Nonetheless, his team secured a victory that helped them proceed to the last eight of the UEFA Europa League.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 6.5/10
This match was one of the less ideal performances from the Armenian. Mkhitaryan struggled to make an impact for his team and lost possession far too easily throughout. At the same time, he offered little in defending and was eventually replaced by Elneny.
Danny Welbeck - 8.5/10
Welbeck has finally found his scoring boots in the second leg of the fixture. He exaggerated his contact with Ricardo Rodriguez and won a penalty for his team, which he ultimately scored.
In the last few minutes of the match, Welbeck was fortunate to get a tap-in from a rebound. It could be seen that the Arsenal man was eager to score goals following his call-up to the England squad. He was pacey in getting behind AC Milan's defenders and fully deserved his two goals.
Substitutes:
Calum Chambers - 8/10
The young defender was called into action within 10 minutes as the injured captain left the pitch. He had a brilliant showing against the strikers from Italy. Chambers could have given a penalty away after his handball in his own penalty box, but fortunately for the Gunners, the referee did not award it. Overall, it had been a great and reliable performance from him.
Mohamed Elneny - 7/10
There was little Elneny had to do when he came on. The result of the match was largely determined and AC Milan offered little in attack towards the end of the match.
The Egyptian found space and time to get forward. While the fans called for him and other players to shoot from far, he chose to keep possession and pass the ball around. It was a positive display from him and he fulfilled his duties.
Sead Kolasinac: N/A
Kolasinac was brought on late in the game and didn't have enough time to make an impactful performance.