The Europa League has just got real for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. It was the last tie out, and it is the best tie of the round.
Arsenal fans have a trip to San Siro to look forward to, and that will take place on Thursday, 8 March, before the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, 15 March.
The @EuropaLeague draw in full:
?? Lazio v Dynamo Kiev ??
?? Leipzig v Zenit ??
?? Atletico v Lokomotiv ??
?? CSKA v Lyon ??
?? Marseille v Bilbao ??
?? Sporting v Plzen ??
?? Dortmund v Salzburg ??
?? Milan v Arsenal ???????#EuropaLeague pic.twitter.com/535JeQ74b6— Match of the Day mag (@MOTDmag) February 23, 2018
The Gunners narrowly overcame Ostersunds in the second leg of their last-32 tie, with Sead Kolasinac’s goal ensuring that, despite being beaten 2-1 on the night, they advanced through 4-2 on aggregate.
Milan, meanwhile, were comfortable winners over two legs as they claimed a 4-0 aggregate win over Ludogorets – Fabio Borini scoring the only goal of the night at San Siro in the return meeting on February 22.
AC Milan and Arsenal met in the 2011-12 Champions League in the last 16 with the Italian side winning 4-0 in the San Siro, before Arsenal won 3-0 in the second leg, but it was not enough.
The AC Milan team that beat Arsenal 4-0 the last time the #UELdraw round of 16 rivals met at the San Siro… pic.twitter.com/0YtvpzVRaL
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 23, 2018
AC Milan are managed by ex-Rangers and Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, who took over in November after they sacked Vincenzo Montella.
Milan are seventh in Serie A, 25 points behind leaders Napoli, but don’t think they are a soft touch. They are on a cracking run of form and are unbeaten in 10 matches, including a 1-0 win over Ludogorets of Bulgaria yesterday to seal a 4-0 aggregate win to reach the last-16.
