A penalty would surely have been awarded had he hit the deck

How Arsenal answered their critics with a vital 2

Arsenal answered their critics canada goose outlet florida and kept their season alive with a 2 0 win at AC Milan in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday. We look at how they did it.

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canada goose uk black friday It’s only early March, but as they stepped out at the San Siro, Arsenal’s players knew their 2017/18 campaign would be as good as over with a heavy defeat to canada goose outlet uk sale in form AC Milan. canada goose uk black friday

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Resolute Arsenal claim away advantage Arsenal eased the pressure on canada goose outlet near me Arsene Wenger with an impressive 2 0 first leg victory at AC Milan in the Europa League last 16

Canada Goose Parka But in the face of all the criticism that has poured their way and the ‘negative spiral’ Laurent Koscielny said the players were going through, Arsenal responded in remarkable style. Canada Goose Parka

Canada Goose Jackets After the shock of Ostersunds, the back to back humbling at the hands of Manchester City and the desperate display in defeat at Brighton, few would have predicted Arsenal to come up with a result and a performance like this. Canada Goose Jackets

canadian goose jacket There was an early nervousness understandable from an Arsenal team which had lost four in a canada goose kensington parka uk row. While a Henrikh Mkhitaryan shot into the side netting signalled the visitors’ intent to take the game to their hosts, canada goose outlet london uk a responding effort from Patrick Cutrone was a reminder of Arsenal’s frailty in defence. canadian goose jacket

Arsenal celebrate after Henrikh Mkhitaryan canada goose outlet vancouver scores the opener

But then, in the space of a couple of first half minutes, fortune smiled on the Gunners.

Hakan Calhanoglu’s decision to skip over David Ospina’s reckless slide, rather than allow himself to be taken out by the Colombian, was costly for Milan. A penalty would surely have been awarded had he hit the deck. Moments later Arsenal were ahead, thanks to Mkhitaryan’s shot looping up and in off Leonardo Bonucci. Milan ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma canada goose sale uk was left with no chance.

That slice of luck emboldened Arsenal and they pressed for canada goose vest outlet another as half time approached.

canada goose uk outlet With a variety of options at his disposal, Wenger has struggled to find canada goose uk the right forward combination at times this season but Arsenal clicked in attack at the San Siro. canada goose uk outlet

Danny Welbeck, Arsenal’s only available striker, rose to the challenge, producing a typically tireless display and linking well with his supporting cast of Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

canada goose uk shop He harassed the Milan defenders when they were canada goose victoria parka outlet in possession, and took the attack to them with direct runs with the ball at his feet. His fine through ball in first half stoppage time should have been canada goose outlet boston converted by Mkhitaryan, who smacked his shot against the top of the crossbar. canada goose uk shop

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buy canada goose jacket cheap Mesut Ozil now has 100 goal involvements for Arsenal (37 goals, 63 assists from 189 appearances). buy canada goose jacket cheap

cheap canada goose uk Instead it was Ozil drifting infield to take up canada goose outlet seattle dangerous central positions who provided the build up to both Arsenal goals. The first for Mkhitaryan’s deflected opener was a wonderful lofted pass. The second was canada goose jacket uk even better: a canada goose outlet london perfectly weighted slide rule delivery for Ramsey to coolly convert a one on one on the stroke of half time. cheap canada goose uk

buy canada goose jacket In the second half, the focus shifted to Arsenal’s defence, as AC Milan on a run of 13 games unbeaten surged forward for a response. Could Arsenal on their joint longest run in the Premier League without a clean sheet hold firm? buy canada goose jacket

uk canada goose It wasn’t always pretty and there were moments when AC Milan looked like they might break through, but Arsenal showed a resilience which has badly been missing this season. uk canada goose

Mkhitaryan drills in off Leonardo Bonucci

That was especially true in the final 15 minutes. Time after time Arsenal found a way to break down the Milan attacks, coming up with canada goose outlet sale six blocks in all. Only once this season in the Premier League have they produced more.

Ospina’s sprint out to deny Nikola Kalinic as he ran through on goal with canada goose jacket outlet sale eight minutes to go was vital and better timed than his first effort on Calhanoglu. Despite the pressure, Arsenal restricted Milan to just one shot on target.

Canada Goose online https://www.canadagoosejacketonlines.ca Relief then, for Wenger, who canada goose outlet store calgary can enjoy the taste of victory again. But of course, the job is only half done. And any Arsenal fan who was in the stands for that shock second leg defeat to Ostersunds in the previous round will know no opposition should be underestimated. Canada Goose online

On Thursday night, Arsenal delivered a timely response to their critics. It has come late in the season. So late they only have one competition to fight for. The challenge now is to deliver again next week and make sure it counts.