Arsenal took on AC Milan in the second leg of their last-16 clash in the Europa League at the Emirates having already bagged a 2-0 away win at the San Siro last week.
The visitors took a surprise lead through Hakan Calhanoglu's long-range strike, although a controversial Danny Welbeck penalty ensured that the Gunners went into the break level at 1-1.
Arsene Wenger's charges grabbed a vital goal to settle any nerves when Granit Xhaka drove home from distance in the second half, before Welbeck returned late on to bag a brace and confirm Arsenal's place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win on the night.
Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good evening everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Arsenal's Europa League last-16 clash with AC Milan at the Emirates. The Gunners hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg at the San Siro and now find themselves with one foot in the quarter-finals.
ARSENAL STARTING XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Ramsey; Wilshere, Ozil, Mkhitaryan; Welbeck
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Cech, Chambers, Kolasinac, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Nketiah
AC MILAN STARTING XI: Donnarumma; Bonucci, Romagnoli, Rodriguez, Suso, Kessie, Montolivo, Calhanoglu, Borini, Cutrone, Silva
AC MILAN SUBSTITUTES: Storari, Musacchio, Zapata, Biglia, Bonaventura, Locatelli, Kalinic
So the crucial news for Gunners fans is that Wenger has been able to call on a number of key defenders this evening. Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal are all returning to the side for the clash against Milan.
Elsewhere, Aaron Ramsey continues in the middle after his promising showing last week, as do Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Danny Welbeck starts in attack with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cup tied.
As for the visitors, Gennaro Gattuso has been forced to hand a start to Fabio Borini at right-back following an injury to Davide Calabria. Another interesting inclusion is the presence of Andre Silva up top. The frontman has struggled under Gattuso's stewardship, but the Portuguese frontman proved vital in the club's recent win over Genoa at the weekend.
The Gunners come into this contest holding the upper hand after an impressive first-half display ensured a 2-0 away win at the San Siro last week, thanks to goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey.
That victory saw Wenger's men end a four-match losing streak, which had previously seen the Gunners lose to Ostersunds FK, Manchester City twice and then against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
Arsenal also recently snapped a three-game losing streak in the top flight having beaten Watford at home on Sunday and Wenger will be hoping that another positive home performance will help to turn the tide after a difficult period recently.
Last week's performance proved to be a perfect response for the Gunners and they head into this game with some promising history behind them. The Gunners have won five of their last six matches against Serie A opposition in north London, drawing the other.
One thing that Arsenal might have on their minds is their poor run in European competitions come this stage, though. Wenger's men have lost all of their last six European home games in the spring, conceding 17 goals - all of which have come in the Champions League.
Having said that, the club's fortunes have been much improved in the Europa League this term. Arsenal's tally of six wins during the tournament League is the joint highest in the competition alongside both Lyon and Zenit St Petersburg.
The visitors come into the game with some faint hope, though, especially when considering AC's fortunes in the new year. Milan have only lost one game since Christmas and that defeat came against the Gunners in the first leg.
Gattuso was particularly critical of his men after last week and he will be expecting a response here. The Serie A giants have won 11 of their last 15 games and they will be hoping to show a little more of that form at the Emirates as they aim to salvage something from this tie.
Across the past six meetings between the teams, the Gunners now hold a slender advantage against the Italians having won three, drawn 2 and lost one.
Prior to this Europa League meeting, the sides last met in the last 16 of the Champions League during the 2011-12 season, when Milan knocked out the Gunners despite Arsenal winning the second leg 3-0 at home.
PREDICTION! We have just a couple of minutes until kickoff now and it's time to make a prediction. Arsenal appear to have turned a corner recently and now have the chance to put together three back-to-back wins. The Gunners will likely have learned from their complacency against Ostersunds too and will not be taking much for granted tonight. Milan can only improve from last week, but the Gunners should have just about enough to book their place in the quarters. I'm backing the hosts for a slender 2-1 home win.
The players are now emerging onto the pitch. We'll have the Europa League anthem, some handshakes and then we'll be underway in north London!
KICKOFF! Arsenal get us moving here at the Emirates...
CLOSE! Arsenal will need to be careful of this tonight. The hosts start slowly and Borini is allowed to break at pace down the right flank. The full-back cuts a pass into the middle of the box, where an unmarked Silva lashes into the side netting.
Arsenal respond to that early chance with an intensive press, which allows Bellerin to get the better of Rodriguez on the right. The full-back drives into space, but his delivery into the middle is cleared by Romagnoli.
This encounter is being played at some pace already, with both sides pressing with energy in the opening moments. Bellerin seeks to push at Rodriguez, who blocks well to deflect a ball for a corner. The resulting cross finds Koscielny rising highest, but he sends his header over the bar without testing Donnarumma.
The visitors' decision to drop Biglia to the bench from the centre has already seen plenty of spaces starting to emerge in the middle. Suso does well to drop short and move into space on the right, although his resulting cross is a poor one and Ospina is left untested.
Arsenal have settled into a comfortable spell of possession now and they will know that it's Milan who will have to force the agenda here, providing the hosts with the perfect chance to break on the counter.
This isn't what Arsenal fans wanted to see as Koscielny finds himself on the deck already, it looks like he has twisted his back and Chambers is already being readied on the touchline.
SUBSTITUTION: Confirmation that Koscielny's race is run then as the Frenchman is replaced by youngster Chambers in the centre of defence.
Borini has impressed thus far at right-back and he does well to earn a cheap free kick off Monreal. The set piece is wasted though and Arsenal are able to gather back possession.
The Gunners are just starting to move the ball with intent in front of the Milan box, there are so far no signs of that complacency that crept in during the defeat to Ostersunds. It looks like Wenger's men are following a game-plan, which comes in stark contrast to what happened just a few weeks ago.
Silva shows good feet to break away on the counter, but Arsenal soon gather enough men back to slow down the move. Milan retain possession, but it comes at the expense of Arsenal finding their defensive shape without too many issues. Nothing to separate the sides so far...
Arsenal put together their strongest move of the evening as Monreal makes a great run down the left channel to cross into the middle. It's Welbeck who rises to head home, but Montolivo does brilliantly to recover and put the frontman off his header at the crucial moment.
More slick stuff from the hosts, who are starting to stretch Milan on the flanks. It's Monreal again who has the beating of Suso, although his cut-back is hoofed clear by Bonucci.
The tempo and intent from Arsenal here will certainly please fans, it's the polar opposite of the way Manchester United went about their work against Sevilla on Tuesday night. This time Ozil breaks away and aims to dink a ball back towards the back-post where not one Arsenal shirt decides to gamble, leaving Milan to clear their lines.
Suso is just showing glimmers of his quality in the final third, this time as he is tracked well by Chambers who has to concede the corner. Arsenal defend the set piece well with Bonucci lurking. The Gunners have looked solid in the first 20 minutes or so.
SAVE! The hosts get their first opportunity to use the counter as the ball is threaded into the feet of Welbeck. The frontman drives at Bonucci and eventually produces some skill to go on the outside of his marker. The striker opens up with a drilled effort towards the near post, but Donnarumma stands strong to make a good save.
Wenger will be fairly pleased thus far, his side have shown great intent but they've also been able to stifle what Milan have thrown back at them. Monreal is seeing so much of the ball on the left, but his disappoints when his cross is turned away by Borini.
Milan have moved the ball pleasantly through the middle yet it's failed to stick with the likes of Cutrone and Calhanoglu up top. The visitors almost get a little lucky when a clearance cannons back into the danger zone off Suso, but Ospina is there to gather the loose ball.
Chambers has settled into the encounter well, especially when you consider he was dropped into this encounter at such short notice on what could turn out to be a huge night for the Gunners.
Calhanoglu finally gets involved as he aims to turn a ball around the corner for the run of Silva, who is eventually flagged for offside. Replays suggest that Monreal has got a little lucky there. It's better from Milan who need to show more endeavour in the final third as this contest progresses.
Another neat move from the away side sees the ball worked out onto the right channel for Suso, who then cuts inside and aims to whip a delivery into the middle. The movement is wonderful, although the eventual ball is a poor one and sails over the bar without finding Cutrone.
GOAL! ARSENAL 0-1 AC MILAN (HAKAN CALHANOGLU)
A real test of Arsenal's resolve now as Milan take the lead and it comes out of nowhere. Calhanoglu is given far too much space and he unleashes with a wild strike that flashes beyond Ospina and into the far corner from distance. Game on now, but the keeper really should be doing better.
PENALTY TO ARSENAL!
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-1 AC MILAN (DANNY WELBECK, PENALTY)
Well that did not take long then... Welbeck find himself on the end of a clever through-ball from Mkhitaryan and he goes down under the softest of contact from Rodríguez. It's never a penalty but somehow the officials decide to give it to the Gunners. Welbeck returns with a wonderful spot kick to send Donnarumma the wrong way and draw the hosts level.
It might not have been a penalty, but Arsenal showed great determination after going behind. They were straight back on the attack after conceding. We are almost back to square one now with Milan now requiring two more goals to progress inside 90 minutes.
Milan are enjoying another spell of possession inside the Arsenal half, but the hosts are standing firm and look compact at the back, which will certainly please Wenger on such a high-pressure night.
SAVE! Ospina pulls out a wonderful save to deny Suso from close range after Milan carve their way through the Arsenal defence. It looks as though the rebound might just fall for Silva, but the referee finally blows for an offside earlier in the build-up.
Arsenal respond now as this game races from end to end. Welbeck draws away from his marker at the back post to find a pass back inside for Mkhitaryan, but the Armenian is undone by some strong defending from Romagnoli.
SAVE! What an end to this half... Wilshere is given time and space on the edge of the box and he opens up with a rasping drive on his favoured left, although Donnarumma is equal to it with a strong diving save.
HALF TIME: ARSENAL 1-1 AC MILAN
We've been treated to a wonderful first half in north London and it's Arsenal who still find themselves in the driving seat with a 3-1 aggregate lead.
Arsenal have approached this contest with real authority and they were unlucky to go behind to Calhanoglu's strike. Welbeck's penalty was certainly a lucky one to win, but the striker showed no signs of nerves as he put away the chance to bring the Gunners back level. Wenger's men still look well placed to reach their first quarter-final appearance since 2010.
It will be intriguing to see Gattuso does in the second half. Milan were off the pace going forward and their goal came out of nowhere. They still need another two if they want to earn progression tonight.
SECOND HALF! We are back moving again at the Emirates...
Milan have started brightly early on as they move the ball around on the edge of Arsenal box. Kessie opts to have a go from range, but Ospina is equal to his effort down low.
Some clever work inside the box eventually sees the ball find itself at the feet of Ramsey, who is only able to snatch at his chance and allow Donnarumma to save comfortably at the back post.
SAVE! More standout work from Arsenal's creative men as Ozil finds a clever ball into the feet of Mkhitaryan. The winger peels off the left-back and aims to bend an effort down into the bottom corner, although once again Donnarumma is across to cover.
Mkhitaryan's movement has been eye-catching in this second half and this time it looks as though he is upended on the edge of the Milan box, only for the referee to wave play on. Great feet from the Armenian, though.
CLOSE! A whisker from making this game a tight one again... Arsenal fail to clear their lines and the ball drops favourably to Suso on the edge of the area. The Milan winger winds up an effort that flashes across the face of goal and wide. That was close from the visitors.
CHANCE! That should be game, set and match for Arsenal. The Gunners break with real pace allowing Ozil to set a delicate ball back into the path of Ramsey on the edge of the box. The Welshman should at least hit the target, but blazes his shot over the bar without testing Donnarumma.
CLOSE! Milan are raging for a penalty here as Bellerin appears to block Silva inside the box. The right-back stands tall and the forward hits the deck. There is certainly contact but the referee waves play on.
CLOSE! Another great chance for Milan to make this interesting. Silva breaks free down the right and he crosses perfectly into the middle for Cutrone, who steers his volley wide of the target.
Great work from the referee this time as he spots a dive from Suso, who then goes straight into the book. It had looked like a late tackle from Chambers on the edge of the area, but replays shows that the referee has things spot on.
Milan are still pushing for a route back into this contest, despite their hopes fading with every passing minute at the Emirates. Chambers does well this time to head clear in the box after a testing delivery from Calhanoglu.
Arsenal have just sensed Milan's extra efforts in the final third and Wilshere has dropped back cleverly to help out Xhaka. The stand-in skipper does well to earn a cheap free kick off Cutrone in his own box and allow his side some breathing space.
SUBSTITUTION: Milan make a change in the final third as Cutrone is replaced by Nikola Kalinic.
SAVE! Wow, Milan pass up another great chance. Somehow Bonucci charges out from the back and moves down the right, before bending a wonderful ball into the middle for Kalinic. The striker rises to meet it with his header, but can only send his effort straight into the grateful palms of Ospina, who cannot believe his luck.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Arsenal make a change now as Mkhitaryan is replaced by Mohamed Elneny in midfield. Milan also make another with Calhanoglu coming off for Bonaventura.
GOAL! ARSENAL 2-1 AC MILAN (GRANIT XHAKA)
Now that should be game over for Milan, who fall prey to a woeful keeping error from Donnarumma, who has otherwise been impressive tonight. Xhaka winds up from range and the keeper is able to get two hands to his shot down low, but somehow the ball spins out of his grip and into the net to give Arsenal plenty of breathing space going into the final 20 minutes.
Milan are still pushing forward despite this game looking increasingly beyond them... Arsenal have put on a strong performance here and this will likely give them confidence going into the quarters.
SAVE! Almost a bit of luck from Kalinic, who deflects a shot towards the roof of the net. Ospina has little time to react, but does so brilliantly to somehow tip the ball over the bar.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Another change now for Milan and their final of the night, as Kessie comes off for Manuel Locatelli. Arsenal also decide to give Ozil a breather and he is replaced by Sead Kolasinac.
The travelling Milan fans are putting on a real spectacle despite the scoreline, the travelling support have been fantastic here and have been responsible for most of the noise inside the Emirates.
We have seen a different Arsenal compared to some showings of late, even in these last 10 minutes as Wenger's men move the ball about with control and comfort. It's impressive to see such game management after some poor showings in recent weeks.
Milan have given as much as they have in the second half, but they just haven't had the required quality in the final third to cause issues for Arsenal.
GOAL! ARSENAL 3-1 AC MILAN (DANNY WELBECK)
Another goal for the Gunners and the 3-1 scoreline is perhaps a touch unfair on Milan. The hosts break down the left and the ball is soon crossed for Ramsey, who draws a good save from Donnarumma, but Welbeck is on hand to send a header of his own into an empty net to earn himself a brace.
Arsenal a merely winding down the clock now as they head for the quarters, Milan have been a tad unlucky and Gattuso is cutting a rather frustrated figure on the touchline.
We are going to have two minutes of additional time here at the Emirates.
FULL TIME: ARSENAL 3-1 AC MILAN
So the final scoreline perhaps suggests that this was an easy night for the Gunners than it actually turned out to be. Having said that, Wenger's men put in a strong performance tonight and were able to deal with whatever AC threw at them. The hosts will also be delighted with how clinical they have been in front of goal here as they now gear up for the quarter-finals. That's going to be all from me tonight, thanks for joining us!
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
