Referee Felix Zwayer blew his whistle at just before midnight local time, and Arsenal were through to the Europa League semi-finals. But it wasn’t the comfortable consolidation of their 4-1 aggregate lead they will have planned before kick off.
Prior to Danny Welbeck’s goal in the 75th minute, is was an awkward and anxious game for Arsenal, whose players gave the impression that this game taking place late in the Moscow night was well past their bedtime.
Some lax defending and careless attacking set the tone for Arsene Wenger’s side until that important goal 15 minutes from time, and for a moment it looked like CSKA Moscow would be the latest side to mount an unlikely comeback in this unbelievable week of European football.
29,284 spectators set a new attendance record at the Arena CSKA, with many of those making the trip from England praising the Russian hospitality and friendliness despite the political tension between the two nations at boardroom level.
CSKA were coming into the game on the back of a disappointing defeat to one of their several city rivals, Dinamo Moscow, where they were hoping to gain some ground on the top two in the Russian Premier League, Lokomotiv and Spartak, but missed their opportunity in a 2-1 defeat.
Fedor Chalov scored his side’s only goal in that game, coming off the bench, and was rewarded with his first Europa League start of the year alongside the man he replaced, Leicester loanee Ahmed Mousa, in the absence of the injured Pontus Wernbloom.
Croatian Kristijan Bistrovic started in midfield, and having just turned 20 this week was one of several young players playing in front of the ageing back line of Sergei Ignashevich, and the Berezutski twins Aleksei and Vasili.
The opening period was one of few chances. Vasili blocked well from Alexandre Lacazette midway through the first half, while CSKA initially lacked the skill and composure to get past a shaky Arsenal back line.
That changed following the introduction of Vitinho, who was sent on by Viktor Goncharenko in place of the injured Alan Dzagoev and played a part in the opener.
The Brazilian’s good work along the byline created space for left wing-back Konstantin Kuchayev to cross, and his ball in was met by Kirill Nababkin. The header produced a good save from Petr Cech, but Chalov reacted quicker than the heavy-footed, sleeping Arsenal defence, to tuck the ball inside the near post.
It's now (2-4) on aggregate...
The home fans certainly believe!
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The hosts had the lead on the night but were still two behind on aggregate. They continued to threaten through the lively Vitinho who shot over, and Bistrovic who sent a curling effort just wide.
CSKA were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Aaron Ramsey, the hero of the first leg, handled the ball in the area.
Wenger was glad of half time, and he made a change for the second half, dropping midfielder Mohamed Elneny into the defence to form a back five.
Arsenal were looking to absorb pressure then threaten on the counter-attack, and it almost paid off immediately but Welbeck’s pass to Ramsey was poor and Igor Akinfeev gathered.
The new formation gave CSKA plenty of the ball, but it looked like their only clear opportunities would come from distance due to the packed Arsenal defence.
Golovin accepted the invitation, fired one on target which Cech couldn’t handle, and Nababkin was on hand to put in another rebound. The reaction from the Arsenal defence was non-existent again.
Wenger undid his half-time change, moving Elneny back into midfield. The Egyptian had the ball in the net from Hector Bellerin’s cross, but was flagged for offside.
Wenger’s side were lackadaisical and looked like they’d turned up here to expend as little energy as possible.
This was summed up when Mesut Ozil pulled out of a headed challenge with Ignashevich, leaving the centre back a free shot on goal, albeit from distance, but the 38-year-old’s shot was only an inch wide of the post.
Arsenal finally got their away goal which secured the win on aggregate, albeit unconvincingly, when Welbeck took matters into his own hands.
His one-two with Elneny was probably the Gunners’ first clinical move of the match and the Englishman finished well past Akinfeev.
With CSKA growing in confidence, the Arsenal striker has landed a killer blow...
That pass from Mohamed Elneny though 👌
From then on Arsenal had the tie in their hands. Substitute Alex Iwobi missed an easy chance, but Ramsey added a deserved second in injury time. The excellent Elneny was involved again, driving through the middle of the park before releasing the Welshman who finished well.
Elneny’s performance was one of few positives for Arsenal, but the biggest positive was that they are through to the semi-final.
The Europa League route provides their only chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, but they’ll have to up their game in the next round if they’re to reach the final in Lyon.
