The Gunners face the Italian giants in the last-16 of the Europa League and Arsene Wenger’s men will need a big improvement if they’re to progress. Max Liu reports on the draw…
“Before they think about Milan, Arsenal need to lift themselves for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.”
Arsenal will play AC Milan in the last-16 of the Europa League. The Gunners travel to norther Italy on March 8 to play the first leg at the San Siro. Following the draw, Arsenal are [6.2] second favourites behind Atletico Madrid to win the competition. Milan, meanwhile, are [14.5].
Playing the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on March 15 is good news for Arsenal but they will need to improve if they are to defeat the Italian side. Milan aren’t what they used to be, and lie seventh in Serie A, but then neither are Arsenal who lost 2-1 at home to Swedish minnows Ostersunds last night. The Gunners won the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
Arsene Wenger criticised his players who he said had “no ideas” after their defeat. With competition for places in the top four of the Premier League tighter than ever, and the Gunners currently sixth and eight points off the pace, Wenger knows that winning the Europa League is probably Arsenal’s most likely route to qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
In the meantime, they need to lift themselves for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
And the best of the rest…
Elsewhere in the draw, competition favourites Atletico play Lokomotiv Moscow – a tie they will expect to win – and Celtic’s conquerors, Zenit St Petersberg, face emerging German power Red Bull Leipzig. The clash between Dortmund and RB Salzburg could be lively too.
The last-16 is traditionally when the competition nobody that wants to be in starts to get interesting and managers decide that, having come this far, they might as well try to win it. Last season, Wenger criticised the decision to award a Champions League spot to the winner. You can bet he won’t be complaining if his side go all the way in 2018. First, Milan awaits.
Atletico Madrid – [3.6]Arsenal – [6.4]Dortmund – [8.0]Lazio – [12.0]RB Leipzig – [12.0]Marseille – [14.0]Lyon – [14.0]AC Milan [14.5]Sporting Lisbon [15.0]BAR – [25.0]
Exchange prices, correct as of 14:00, February 23
Source: Betfair Europa League
