CSKA were on the brink of becoming the third side in Europe this week to wipe out a three-goal deficit in the second leg as Arsenal froze in Moscow for 76 minutes.
Goals either side of half time from Fedor Chalov and Kirill Nababkin put the tie on a knife edge – the away goal for CSKA at the Emirates a week earlier meaning another goal would have put the Russians through.
And with the noisy crowd behind their opponents, Arsenal looked in danger of having to fight all the way before Danny Welbeck eased their nerves 14 minutes from time only for Aaron Ramsey to put some gloss on the result with a second in injury time.
“We were in trouble in the first half,” said Arsenal manager Wenger. “I feel that maybe we were a bit surprised by the intensity at the start.
WHEN IS THE EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW?
“After moving to a back five we were more stable, didn’t concede as many chances.
“Of course it should be every year we get to semi-finals – it should be every year! It is never enough. But we need to be focused. Let’s prepare well for the next round and see who we get.”
Welbeck, understandably pleased with a goal that takes him into double-figures for the season, insisted Arsenal realised it was not going to be easy.
“It wasn’t comfortable, we have seen in Europe how difficult it can be coming into games with an advantage,” he said. “It was difficult today, away from home in different conditions, but we stuck through it.
“Then with the goal, the defender was tight to me, he thought I would go inside like before, I went to the other side, played the one-two with Mohamed Elneny, knew it would beat the defender and finished it nicely.”
Nevertheless, skipper Laurent Koscielny admitted that Arsenal’s players had not been good enough on the night overall.
“It was not the plan,” he said. “I think we missed a lot of movement, to be available for our team-mates. We didn’t win duels. They played well, had opportunities and took them. It put pressure on us, if they score we are out.
“So I am happy because we came back, but our performance was not enough for the stage of the competition. We will see the draw, but need more confidence in our game.”
Arsenal join Red Bull Salzburg, Marseille and favourites Atletico Madrid in today’s draw, with the winners of the competition guaranteed a coveted place in the Champions League next season.
“Ideally we want to avoid Atletico,” said Wenger. “Maybe they are the strongest on paper, but let’s play well against the team we get.”
