Huge boost for embattled Wenger

Just when you thought Arsene Wenger was gone, that Arsenal had reached the point of no return, a remarkable victory in Milan has opened up the possibility — just the possibility — that perhaps, after all, it isn’t over.

Goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, his first for Arsenal, and from Aaron Ramsey gave Wenger’s side a 2-0 victory over AC Milan in the last 16 of the Europa League and gave the north London club a glimmer of light in what has been a very dark season — and a chance of a place in the quarter-finals.

Given Arsenal’s miserable form, it seemed almost preposterous to suggest that victory in Italy could be enough to help Wenger avoid what most onlookers seem to believe is the inevitable end of an era.