Summary

  • Ramsey slots home second from Ozil through ball

  • Mkhitaryan's first goal for Arsenal with shot across keeper

  • Return leg takes place in London on 15 March

  1. Postpublished at 50 mins

    AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal

    Milan midfielder Franck Kessie makes a huge error - which almost lets Arsenal in. Near the halfway line he just launches the ball towards his goal inexplicably.

    Danny Welbeck gets a shot in but Gianluigi Donnarumma - inches away from him - saves it, with the ball hitting off the striker and going wide.

    Welbeck has a chance for ArsenalImage source, Reuters
  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:11 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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    Arsenal has played well, with a swagger. But Welbeck still cannot find a goal and the defense is not as effective as it should be. Not fully convinced yet.

    Gbade

    Peter Williams: If Arsenal can do this to Milan, imagine what Brighton could do.

    Watford to beat Arsenal on Saturday. Normal service will be resumed.

    Kevin, Hornchurch

  3. Postpublished at 48 mins

    AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal

    Arsenal's Granit Xhaka and Milan midfielder Franck Kessie have a falling out. The referee has words with both but no cards shown. Xhaka always seems to be on the brink of a booking.

    Xhaka and refImage source, Reuters
  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:08 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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    Alexander Schimmel: I just knew Wenger's master plan to become so bad that we are the underdogs going into every match would pay off eventually.

    I still love Arsene, even if sometimes it feels like I'm the only one. Yes, we are all familiar with the shortcomings but we've still won three more trophies than our much lauded North London neighbours. Come on you Reds!

    Julian J, Epsom

    Why are people surprised? Arsenal can beat anyone on their day, no change there. This doesn't cover up our leadership vacuum, defensive frailties and psychological weakness all of which are down to the manager.

    John, Luton

  5. KICK-OFFpublished at 46 mins

    AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal

    We are under way in the second half. What's going to happen in the next 45?

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:05 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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    Rezaa Sait: It pains me to say this but wouldn't Europa League success mean another few seasons for Wenger? Isn't that what every Arsenal supporter is against?

    Am I the only Arsenal fan who thinks we're a goalkeeper, centre back and quick, strong central defensive midfielder from being an excellent team? If we can get to Europa final and qualify for Champions League it's not so bad.

    Ben, London

    We all know Arsenal can win by two goals in Milan and lose by three goals at the Emirates. Let's not get our hopes high. It's still Wenger's reign.

    Lex

    Wenger smileImage source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 19:03 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal

    For the first time since April 2011 (for Real Madrid against Spurs), Mesut Ozil has managed two assists in a European game.

    He has now been directly involved in 100 goals for Arsenal (37 goals and 63 assists).

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:02 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    This is the Arsenal I know and love... give Wenger another two years please.... come on you Gunners...

    Andi, Harrogate

    'The Italian job' - starring Mkhitaryan anyone?

    Matt, Winchester

    Any one else bet on Arsenal to lose tonight? The one time I bet on Arsenal to lose and they are killing AC Milan! What is going on at Arsenal!

    Toby Briggs, Cambridge

  9. Postpublished at 19:02 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    BBC Radio 5 live at San Siro

    I can't quite believe what I've seen there and Arsene Wenger practically skipped down the tunnel in delight on the half-time whistle.

    Milan actually have been quite disappointing but Arsenal have punished them and they should really be 3-0 up with Henrikh Mkhitaryan's shot clipping the bar which was a little bit wasteful.

    It was a wonderful Ozil through-ball for Arsenal's second goal though and Aaron Ramsey took it with such composure, just waltzing round Gianluigi Donnarumma to stick it into an empty net.

    A remarkable first-half in the San Siro and classic Arsenal under Wenger, just when you think they're down and out they remind you exactly what they can do. The inconsistency, as ever, must be maddening for Arsenal fans.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:59 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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    Craig Smith: Welcome back Arsenal, where have you been for three months?

    Grumpy Expat: Well after that first half performance I think it's clear Wenger hasn't lost the dressing room just yet!

    Classic Arsenal football being played tonight. Don’t know what people are whinging about.

    Ben

  11. Postpublished at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    BBC Radio 5 live at San Siro

    The second goal is a thing of beauty. Who would have believed this?

    Ramsey goalImage source, Getty Images
  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:53 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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    Antoine Allen: Even if Arsenal win tonight. It only paints over the rising damp at the Emirates. The team and management's needs a refurbishment.

    Waqas Khan: Arsenal fans need to stop moaning and support the team during the match at least. Leave the criticism towards Wenger and the team till at least after the match.

    Nokeeroe: This game looked tough on paper but Arsenal are crushing the so called Italian giants.

  13. Around the groundspublished at 18:53 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    You can't win these ties in the first legs, but you can lose them, or so they say.

    Just the one other goal at half-time across the remaining three games.

    Atletico Madrid 1-0 Lokomotiv Moscow

    Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Red Bull Salzburg

    CSKA Moscow 0-0 Lyon

  14. HALF-TIMEpublished at 18:52 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal

    We didn't really see that first half coming.

  15. goal

    GOAL - AC Milan 0-2 Arsenalpublished at 45+4 mins

    Aaron Ramsey

    Arsenal are in control.

    Mesut Ozil plays an excellent through ball to Aaron Ramsey, whose quick feet leaves keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on the ground - and he can tap into an empty net.

    Good goal.

    Ramsey goalImage source, Reuters
  16. Postpublished at 45+3 mins

    AC Milan 0-1 Arsenal

    Milan winger Suso, once of Liverpool, fires an effort over from outside the box. We're into the final minute of stoppage time.

    Suso has a shotImage source, Reuters
  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:50 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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    Jay Barnes: Mkhitaryan might have forgotten how to cross, pass, dribble or play football in general but he clearly hasn't forgotten how to score in Europa League.

    As much as I love Arsenal, and hold Wenger in the highest regard, we truly are going backwards. It's plain for all to see, and given our ownership/board issues I don't see a way out of the decline. A new manager will bring new ideas but he would still be constrained by our business model. In regards to tonight, I can't imagine us going a whole 90 minutes against any team and not conceding. We may need more goals.

    Anon

    Lewis:I thought Mkhitaryan was number seven. Any clue why he’s wearing number 77?

    Because Alexis Sanchez wore it for Arsenal earlier this campaign. Weird Europa League rules don't let two players wear same shirt number for a club in a season

  18. HITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 45+1 mins

    AC Milan 0-1 Arsenal

    Almost 2-0 to Arsenal. Danny Welbeck - after a superb run from midfield - plays a pass across the box to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who - like he did for his goal - cuts onto his right foot. This time though his effort clips off the crossbar. Should have done better really.

  19. Postpublished at 45 mins

    AC Milan 0-1 Arsenal

    Hakan Calhanoglu and Suso stand over the free-kick. After what feels like an age, Suso takes it - and slams it right into the wall.

  20. Postpublished at 45 mins

    AC Milan 0-1 Arsenal

    Free-kick to Milan as Aaron Ramsey brings down Suso.