UEFA Europa League 2017/18: Arsenal 3-1 AC Milan, 5 Talking Points

A controversial penalty but an otherwise confident performance see Arsenal through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

AC Milan opened the scoring when Hakan Çalhanoğlu shot from distance to beat David Ospina. A truly fantastic goal but Arsenal responded within minutes with Danny Welbeck going down in the box and scoring from the spot.

Further goals from Granit Xhaka and Danny Welbeck again ensured Arsene Wenger's side went through to the quarter-finals for the first time in eight years.

Here's what we learnt:

Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck already justify England recall

English duo Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck put on a good show against a shotgun AC Milan side looking to cause problems right from the get-go with performances that will please England manager Gareth Southgate.

A 94% pass accuracy rate, 1 key chance and 1 clear-cut opportunity meant Wilshere was amongst the best players on the field.

Welbeck, meanwhile, scored twice but already created 2 key chances earning the man-of-the-match honour.

A true warrior for his side and a decent passer, too

Leonardo Bonucci is possibly the best passer-defender right now

With Arsenal controlling most of the game, AC Milan's captain Leonardo Bonucci found his opportunity to run forward just once and when he did, his side almost scored.

He intercepted the ball, ran through Arsenal's midfield and found Nikola Kalinic with a lovely lob that deserved to get his side back into the fight.

Having been linked with Manchester City before joining AC Milan in the summer, it's the kind of marriage you can't help but feel 'what if?'

Great on the ball and a real fighter of a defender, Bonucci will hope his side improve - or add - to replicate the kind of successes he's had at his previous club.

An excellent Arsenal side

were

cheered on by an excellent Emirates showing

More of tonight's atmosphere, please?

Loud, cheerful and that 'Ospina' chant made the Emirates a contrastingly incredible place when compared to recent weeks.

The empty seats had bums on them, the North Bank was loud and demanding and that new chant for Arsenal's Colombian made it a nightmare for AC Milan to play through.

At times, it felt like the Italian side had nothing going for them and the Emirates faithful did all they could to drive that thought deeper into their minds.

Still one for the future.

Give Gianluigi Donnarumma a break

Yes, he made the mistake to let in Granit Xhaka's shot and has let in a total of 5 goals over the two legs but the 19-year-old is still amongst the brightest talents the sport's got between the poles.

Commanding in the box, a tall presence and the trust of a nation, who don't want to admit that their current first-choice legendary keeper is soon to retire, all make Donnarumma an excellent prospect and one AC Milan will do great to hold on to.

Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona have all been linked with the teenager but he's got the all the right leaders in his current side and sticking with them for a few more seasons will be wise.

Nope. Get up, son!

Divey Welbeck needs to cut it out

There are certain players who would not surprise the world for their antics in the penalty box but Danny Welbeck didn't look like one of them when he Dele-berately went down to a feather-touch from Ricardo Rodriguez.

And given he's now back in the England squad making usual Alli-ances, this is the kind of behaviour Arsene Wenger has in the past never expected from his team.

While he did well to score the penalty when offered the chance, Welbeck was lucky not to get booked for his antics especially given Suso was booked later in the game for trying similar tactics.