Arsenal stun AC Milan

Milan : Arsenal eased to victory over AC Milan to move towards a place in the quarterfinals of the Europa League and end a run of four consecutive defeats in the process.

The Gunners were at a low ebb heading to Italy after poor performances and damaging losses had seen the pressure cranked up on manager Arsene Wenger.

This was supposed to be another tough challenge for a beleaguered Arsenal at San Siro but instead they outclassed an admittedly poor Milan side as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey struck in the first half to seal a comfortable 2-0 win in the first leg of this last-16 tie.

Mkhitaryan shone in the Europa League for Manchester United last season and topped that off by scoring in the final as the Red Devils saw off Ajax.

Wenger would love a similar run in this competition as all hopes of returning to the Champions League through the Premier League have all-but ended as Arsenal sit 13 points off the top four.

This was a massive night for both Wenger and his side and, for the first time in a considerable while, they answered some of the recent questions asked of their quality, commitment and togetherness.

It was not perfect and Milan had chances but the Rossoneri had not conceded in their last six games and had lost just one of their previous 20 European matches at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side were inches away from taking the lead in just the second minute as Giacomo Bonaventura slid in at the back post but could not make contact with a deflected cross as the hosts forced the issue in the opening exchanges.

Arsenal also looked to make early in-roads and, although some of their pass selections -- short and easy -- showed that confidence is lacking, one smart move ended with Mkhitaryan firing into the side-netting.

But it would be the visitors who took the lead when the impressive Mkhitaryan cut inside from Mesut Ozil’s pass before beating Gianluigi Donnarumma with a strike which deflected in off Milan skipper Leonardo Bonucci.