Controversial Danny Welbeck penalty helps Arsenal see off AC Milan

A controversial penalty from Danny Welbeck helped Arsenal to a 3-1 win against Milan as the Gunners progressed 5-1 on aggregate.

Welbeck's spot-kick, which was awarded after he went down under pressure from Ricardo Rodriguez, came just as Milan had taken the lead on the night to haul themselves back into the tie. It was enough, and Arsenal eventually eased to victory; they are not the best side left in the competition, but no one will fancy facing them in the last eight.

The first half was a decent end-to-end battle which Arsenal shaded, but then on 35 minutes Hakan Calhanoglu wiped his foot across a drive from distance and Milan were within a goal of levelling the tie. But Arsenal did very well to up the pressure immediately, Aaron Ramsey forcing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma before Welbeck won the penalty and tucked it away nicely.

After the break Arsenal looked to finish things off but missed a few presentable chances before Milan began to force the issue. They missed chances of their own before Donnarumma made a remarkable mess of a speculative shot from Granit Xhaka and the ball squirted past him for the clinching goal.

The home team enjoyed themselves thereafter, and four minutes from time Welbeck notched his second of the night.

Welbeck is necessary. Danny Welbeck probably isn't one of Arsenal's best eleven players, or even best three forwards, and yet he makes the team better when he plays, speeding the game up, making things happen and asking questions of opposing defenders. With Alexandre Lacazette injured and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cup-tied, he'll have to maintain his form if Arsenal are to win this competition.

Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Worked hard, defending well where necessary, and he has the rare class that beats men in the middle of the pitch.

Arsenal: Ospina 6, Bellerin 6, Koscielny 6, Mustafi 6, Monreal 6, Xhaka 6, Ramsey 7, Wilshere 7, Mkhitaryan 6, Welbeck 7, Ozil 6. Subs: Chambers 6, Elneny 6, Kolasinac 6.

AC Milan: Donnarumma 5, Borini 6, Bonucci 6, Romagnoli 6, Rodriguez 6, Kessie 7, Calhanoglu 7, Montolivo 5, Suso 6, Silva 5, Cutrone 5. Subs: Bonaventura 6, Locatelli 6, Kalinic 6.

1’ - Straight away Milan come down the right, Suso finding Borini, whose cross finds Silva! He should across Ospina, but doesn't get round it, turning towards the near post, around it, and into the side-netting. A warning for Arsenal, a major oversight from Milan.

35’ - WHAT A GOAL! Arsenal (2)0-1(1) Milan (Calhanoglu) Calhanoglu takes the ball at inside-left and under no pressure from Monreal or Mustafi, edges forwards and from 30 yards, wipes his foot across a belter that catches Ospina by surprise, dipping and hurrying into the far corner! We've got ourselves a ball-game!

38’ - PENALTY TO ARSENAL! Apparently. Mkhitaryan slides a pass in behind for Welbeck, who runs past Rodriguez, who gets out the road. There's a flailing arm that he does well to remove, so the official behind the goal decides it's a foul. It really was not, which is to say that Welbeck dived and then appealed with righteous indignation.

39’ - GOAL! Arsenal (3)1-1(1) (Welbeck) Welbeck does Donnarumma with the eyes, looking right, curling left, and Arsenal are back in charge. The more I see the "foul", the less a foul it is, but Arsenal did well to pick it up immediately after conceding.

68’ - Look at this! Bonucci glides forward and unfurls a delicious cross from the right which picks out Kalinic! But he can't quite get behind it, so has to guide rather than power, giving Ospina time to gather at the far post.

71’ - GOAL! Arsenal (4)2-1(1) Milan (Xhaka) Oh dear me. Xhaka tries a left-footer from outside the box, and I suppose it bounces in front of Donnarumma, but he has plenty of time to stroke his bumfluff, arrange his short, back and sides, and make the saves, But he somehow dives, pats it down, and sees the ball squirt off in the opposite direction, sneaking over the line. This is over.

86’ - GOAL! Arsenal 3(5)-(1)1 Milan (Welbeck) This really nicely constructed, Elneny finding Welbeck, who spreads left to Wilshere. He could cross immediately but takes an extra touch and stands up a cross into the middle which Ramsey nuts at goal from close range. Donnarumma does well to keep it out, but Welbeck is on hand to bob into the empty net.

Arsenal have won both legs of a European tie for the first time since knocking Celta Vigo out of the 2003-04 Champions League.

15 different players have scored for Arsenal in this season's Europa League, the most of any club.