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Arsenal draws AC Milan in last 16

February 23, 2018
Draw for the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League football tournament. — AFP
Draw for the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League football tournament. — AFP

NYON, Switzerland — Seven-time European champion AC Milan will face Arsenal in the standout last-16 tie in the Europa League after the draw was made here Friday.

It will be the first time the two clubs have met since Milan won 4-3 on aggregate to reach the Champions League quarterfinals in 2012 where it lost to Barcelona.

Spanish favorite Atletico Madrid takes on Lokomotiv Moscow while Milan’s Serie A rival Lazio will face Dinamo Kiev.

Borussia Dortmund, another club having to settle for Europe’s secondary club competition after falling out of the Champions League, faces Austria’s FC Salzburg.

French club Olympique Lyonnais, whose ground will host the final, play CSKA Moscow while former European champion Olympique de Marseille faces Athletic Bilbao.

The remaining two ties are RB Leipzig against Zenit St Petersburg and Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon versus Viktoria Plzen.

Although Milan, playing in Europe after a three-year absence, has improved under former player Gennaro Gattuso who has taken them on an 11-match unbeaten run, it is adrift in the race for Champions League places, lying seventh in Serie A.

Arsenal, whic failed to qualify for the Champions League this season for the first time for 20 years, looks unlikely to get back in via a top-four finish in the Premier League.

With a Champions League spot up for grabs for the Europa League winner, the clash between the two powerhouses takes on added significance.

The six previous matches between the sides have seen both win twice, Arsenal prevailing 3-0 in the most recent clash at The Emirates having lost 4-0 in the San Siro in the first leg of their 2012 Champions League tie.

Arsenal reached the last 16 despite losing 2-1 at home to Swedish club Ostersunds on Thursday. Milan beat Bulgarian side Ludogorets. — Reuters


February 23, 2018
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