When Arsenal are expected to lose, they somehow find it in them to win and surprise everybody yet again. After being beaten in the last 4 matches they played prior to the game against AC Milan, many expected Arsenal to lose to the rejuvenated Italian side as the bets on Videoslots Bonus Code 2018 depicts, but the Gunners served what is perhaps their best game of the season. A gutsy away European performance ensured that Arsenal took a two-goal advantage back to North London next week courtesy of strikes from strikes from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey.
Arsenal know that the Europa League is perhaps their only realistic chance of reaching next season’s Champions League competition, and it showed in the performance against the Gennaro Gattuso-tutored side. Milan had not lost since the turn of the year, but were left undone by a Mesut Ozil masterclass, who registered 2 assists on the night. Despite their recent resurgence under Gattuso, the Italian outfit looked pedestrian and maybe underrated Arsenal.
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The nature of the victory away at the San Siro has sent signals to the rest of the teams that Arsenal are not in the competition to make up the numbers. The 13-time English champions are 13 points off the last Champions League place in the Premier League, meaning that the winning the Europa League is the only viable option to get back to playing the elite continental place. Arsenal should be confident of winning the Europa League, but must not be over confident of their abilities. They dispatched a very good Milan side easily, but will still have to negotiate the tough teams such as Atletico Madrid, Lyon and Marseille.
Apart from perhaps Atletico Madrid, Arsenal have a better squad than all these other sides, and will fancy their chances of beating them. Atletico don’t really need the title to cement their position in the Champions League next season. They are only in it to see if they can end their trophy drought of nearly 4 years. If Arsenal do face them in the quarters, semis or finals, Arsenal have a chance given that they need the trophy more than the Rojiblancos. With Arsene Wenger under immense pressure at the moment, he has spoken of the expectations and belief that they can win the cup, just like Manchester United did last term.
Winning the Europa League won’t be easy, but it is within Arsenal’s grasp. If they get a favourable draw for the quarter finals after probably defeating Milan over two legs, the goal becomes even closer to fruition.
The likes of Borrusia Dortmund, Athletic Bilbao and Lazio are all living dangerously and could be exited when the second leg of the Round of 16 games are played next Thursday. Arsenal on a normal day can defeat any team left in the competition, but must be careful as it is a very unforgiving competition, where the smallest mistake can be punished severely.
Wenger is expected to leave at the end of the season, and what better way is there to go than after winning a European trophy he has not won before. On that note, he will leave when the ovation is loudest. For all his achievements at Arsenal, that’s the only way he should bow out.