'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal found out the opponents for their Europa League Round of 16 fixture on Friday which saw them being paired against AC Milan.
The last time these two great European sides faced off against each other was in 2012, the Champions League Round of 16, where Milan overcame the Gunners 4-3 on aggregate.
Milan will be going into the tie with the momentum, being unbeaten in all competitions in 2018 and having trumped Ludogorets 4-0 over both the legs in the Round of 32.
As per Arsenal, despite winning their Round of 32 fixture against FK Ostersunds 4-2, they suffered a surprise 2-1 loss at home in the second leg, with their weaknesses and complacency being exposed against a smaller side, similar to their loss against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
Here are five reasons why Arsenal will fail to win the Europa League:
#5 Weak Defence
Despite keeping four clean sheets in the Europa League this season, Arsenal's defence is something that cannot be relied upon.
A loss at home to Ostersunds in the second leg was the perfect example. Arsene Wenger has opted to chop and change at the back for Europe, with fringe and rotational players getting a chance.
However, the experiments have not worked out. The defence has been caught out on different occasions.
If the North London side fails to qualify for the Champions League by finishing in the top four in England, then winning the Europa League is the only opportunity for direct qualification.
The January transfer window was a great chance for the Gunners to sign a new defender but Wenger decided against it. With the fixture congestion caused by playing on Thursday nights, the club needed new faces.
Calum Chambers has not impressed since his return to Arsenal in the summer from his loan spell at Middlesborough. Not only was he at fault for the own goal, he was caught for his lack of pace and looked mediocre in the second leg against the Swedish side.
#4 No Aubameyang
New signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was declared ineligible to be a part of Arsenal's Europa League squad for the knockout stages of the competition.
As per UEFA's rules, he was denied his place in the squad since his former team, Borussia Dortmund dropped down into the competition following their exit from the Champions League.
Aubameyang's absence and Alexandre Lacazette's injury has been a massive blow for Arsenal.
The former Dortmund man had an impressive debut against Everton and would have been a massive bonus if he had been allowed to play.
His pace and link up play with Mkhitaryan combined with his goal threat in the box would have been the ideal formula for the Gunners in this competition.
#3 Rejuvenated AC Milan
AC Milan has had a much-needed resurgence, especially in the new year under new manager Gennaro Gattuso.
They are unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions and their rich vein of form in the Serie A has seen them climb up to seventh in the table.
Their unbeaten run has culminated with them picking up significant wins over Lazio and Inter Milan in the league and Coppa Italia respectively. They have become a confident and settled unit and Gattuso is getting the best out of his team.
AC Milan will be the favourites heading into the clash against Arsenal. They have become a balanced side on the pitch and have a settled backline with Leanardo Bonucci and Alessio Romagnoli in the heart of defence.
Ricardo Rodriguez will possess a threat on the left side of the defence, going up and down the pitch. Defensively he averages 2.4 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game and also has contributed with two goals in the Europa League.
Up front, the Arsenal defence will have to contend with Patrick Cutrone and Andre Silva. The duo has combined for 10 goals, with Silva scoring six and Cutrone registering four goals in Europe.
#2 Competition from stronger teams
Even if Arsenal were to overcome Milan in the Round of 16, they will face increased competition from the stronger European sides in the latter stages of the tournament.
Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Lyon were drawn up favourable fixtures and Borussia Dortmund, one of the favourites, will fancy their chances of progressing against a competitive Salzburg side.
Other than this either Marseille or Athletic Bilbao and RB Leipzig or Zenit St.Petersburg will be progressing onto the quarterfinals.
In the past, the Gunners have always faltered against the bigger teams in the Champions League knockout stages.
They have failed to qualify beyond the Round of 16 in their previous seven UCL seasons.
#1 Because they are Arsenal
One of the primary reasons why Arsenal will not be successful in their quest for the Europa League trophy is because they have a tendency of falling short in the big games, against quality oppositions.
Their only notable success in Europe dates back to them ending up as runners-up in the Champions League in 2006.
Mesut Ozil has been disappointing in the crunch games, as he has failed to make an impact for the team during his stint at the club. His penalty miss against Bayern Munich in the first leg in 2014 is one of many.
The biggest issue with the German has been his ability to thrive and dominate against the smaller teams whereas, in the bigger games, he fails to turn up and has no impact in the game with a minimum contribution.
One of the other big problems for the Gunners tends to be when they get blown away in the first leg itself. This has happened in recent seasons of the Champions League against oppositions like Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Individual errors always have been one of the causes for Arsenal ending up short in Europe. It happened in 2012 as well when they lost the first leg 4-0 away at San Siro.
Similarly, Wenger's side does not have the squad depth to compete in Europe this season. They lack quality in important positions of the pitch such as in midfield.
Granit Xhaka has been the only mainstay in the centre of midfield, but has lacked consistency. Mohamed Elneny has not proven to be a success, with him being in and out of the team.
Jack Wilshere has been another huge disappointment. When he has got his chances of playing further forward in the absence of Ozil against the weaker oppositions, Wilshere hasn't repaid the manager's trust in him.
Another position where Wenger needed to invest in January was a holding midfielder. They needed to reinforce that area of the pitch so as to have some defensive cover and protection for the already vulnerable back four.
The fact that they always choke in crunch situations plays against them and it will be one of the reasons why Arsenal's European trophy drought will continue.
