Arsenal need Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Europa League form and other takeaways from Milan

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  • Arsenal defied their doubters and produced a performance worthy of their proud history under Arsene Wenger as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey scored in a 2-0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro.

    The Europa League is a must-win for the Gunners and it’s so far, so very good in the round-of-16, as they take a huge advantage over the Rossoneri back to the Emirates.

    Below are three takeaways to digest from the match as Milan’s recent excellent record came to a shuddering halt.

    Mkhitaryan feels at home in Europa

    If there’s a tournament that Henrikh Mkhitaryan approaches without trepidation it’s the Europa League. He desperately needed a pick-me up after swapping his poor form along with his shirt between Manchester United and Arsenal, and this was his seventh goal in Europe from his last nine in all competitions.

    Mkhitaryan has had some stinkers in Europe for United of course – a game against Benfica last year in which he lost the ball 22 times stands out – but certain continental sides suit him down to a tee.

    Here AC Milan did not attack with the physicality that he so often struggles with him in the Premier League, and Suso left his young right-back Davide Calabria without much in the way of support.

    The result? Mkhitaryan could turn on the after-burners on the counter and a little more room to breathe, even during the spells when the Gunners were controlling possession.

    This performance may not translate into a return to domestic competition. However, the Europa League is suddenly Arsenal’s No1 target – and Arsene Wenger will be glad he has a proven quantity on board in Mkhitaryan.

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Armenia

    Milan’s renaissance takes a blow

    Mkhitaryan’s opener marked the first time the Rossoneri had conceded in 539 minutes of football, a goal that led to them surrendering a 13-match unbeaten run.

    The hosts were ruthlessly exposed but it not as if they had played a bunch of nobodies during their water-tight spell. Consecutive shut-outs against Roma and Lazio attest to that.

    Against Arsenal, though, Lucas Biglia himself in midfield could not stop the blue tide as Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey flitted about at pace – while Franck Kessie and in particular Giacomo Bonaventura, could do nothing to slow them down.

    After a hopeless start to life in Milan, Leonardo Bonucci has improved dramatically and Alessio Romagnoli is developing into another is swiftly developing into a classical Italian defender.

    The blame cannot be laid at their feet. Rather, Milan and Gennaro Gattuso were far too naïve in throwing bodies forward, be it their midfield or full-backs, against a side that could break at will. They didn’t stand a chance.

    Gennaro Gattuso 2

    Koscielny and Mustafi finally come good

    Before kick-off, Arsenal had lost twice as many competitive games in 2018 as they had won. The record has marginally improved to five wins, eight defeats – and it’s a statistic that suggests a talented side lacks a spine.

    Not the case at the San Siro as this was as complete a performance against a good side that Arsenal have produced in recent years.

    The first half was all about the high-octane counters and incisive passing that flummoxed but we all know that the Gunners, at their best, can operate at such a level.

    Indeed, the most heartening aspect about this performance was their defensive resilience after the break. Naturally the pendulum shifted towards Milan, with Arsenal content to sit on a two-goal lead and Gattuso’s men desperate to give themselves a chance.

    After some very early jitters, Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny – so widely panned for some gutless displays this year – threw their limbs, hearts and souls at wave after wave of attack in an effort to keep a clean sheet.

    With Granit Xhaka also proving an adequate security blanket (for once), you’d have to rub your eyes to recognise this display at the back as belonging to Arsenal. A few more tough European away days will be in order if they have designs on lifting the trophy.

    Shkodran Mustafi 1

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