Aaron Ramsey’s Goal Against CSKA Moscow Was a Thing of Real Beauty

Ahmed Musa nearly put the Russian side ahead immediately after but scuffed his shot, and seven minutes Arsenal were back in front as Lacazette converted a penalty following Georgi Schennikov’s foul on Mesut Ozil.

Ramsey opened the scoring with a sidefooted finish on nine minutes but his second strike – an instinctive volleyed flick – was especially noteworthy.

The result gives Arsenal a healthy lead to take to Russian Federation for the return leg on Thursday, and they will be confident of booking their place in the semi-finals.

Arsenal stretched its winning streak to five games in all competitions with a fluent display of attacking football.

Ramsey looked desperate to complete his hat-trick, going close twice within 10 minutes of the restart – an effort deflecting off Sergei Ignashevich and going just wide, before he then fired over from the middle of the area after Akinfeev could only parry Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s long-range effort.

But the game will be remembered fondly for Ozil’s display, especially if Arsenal go on to win the competition in the twilight of Wenger’s reign.

It’s an intriguing fixture but one I fancy that Arsenal could sneak a slight advantage.

And, even though the fans’ frustrations are abundantly evident, Arsene Wenger is confident that they will come out in force for the game against CSKA Moscow, particularly with so much at stake for the club.

David Ospina has typically been preferred to the Czech veteran in European and domestic cup action but an injury in training has seen Cech recalled.

There have been some spectacular goals in Europe this week. There were two goals for Aaron Ramsey – who also hit the post and had a goal dubiously disallowed – and two for Alexandre Lacazette.

“You don’t stop playing if you concede a goal”.

Has there ever been a more “Arsenal” goal than that?

Salzburg had not lost a game since a 1-0 defeat at Sturm Graz in the Austrian league on Aug 27 but Lazio captain Senad Lulic put his team ahead after eight minutes.

Man of the match – Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)Ozil was at his brilliant best. We did the first part of the job but not the second part.

CSKA Moscow, meanwhile, booked their place in the quarter-finals with a hard-earned win over Lyon and they represent a stern challenge for the Premier League side.

Almost 12 years later, the Gunners will be looking to avenge that result in this evening’s Europa League quarter-final clash.