Arsenal are in a surprisingly commanding position in their Europa League tie against AC Milan, so let’s take a look at who else could cause the team problems if they finish the job on Thursday.
Defying the two club’s respective runs of form, Arsenal put in a top performance in a 2-0 win at the San Siro on Thursday.
The tie isn’t over yet, with the return leg in London still to come, but it’s pretty much the best the team could’ve hoped to get from the away match against a top European club.
If Arsenal can get through the home leg without falling apart, they’ll be in the quarter-finals. At that point it wouldn’t be ridiculous to start dreaming about going all the way.
Here are the teams who are most likely to cause Wenger’s side problems in that endeavour:
1Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon have been in the Europa League since the start, and they’re having a great campaign. In their last seven matches they’ve won six, losing the seventh 1-0 to Atalanta. They’re currently 1-0 up against CSKA Moscow after the away leg of their tie.
Perhaps the side are driven by the knowledge that this year’s final will take place in Lyon. Playing a major European final at your home ground isn’t an opportunity that comes around very often.
The other factor inspiring the side is Nabil Fekir’s fantastic form. The 24-year-old club captain has 21 goals and six assists this season, despite his midfield role. That includes goals and assists against Everton, Villarreal in the round of 32, PSG and Monaco. In pretty much every big game he is making an impact.
I’m sure Alexandre Lacazette’s return to his former club would also stir up some emotions. It would certainly be an exciting tie.
2017/18 European record
- Wins: 6
- Draws: 2
- Defeats: 1
- Goals scored: 16
- Goals conceded: 5