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Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal: Arsene Wenger's men ease to victory over Swedish minnows in Europa League last-16 first leg as Nacho Monreal, Mesut Ozil and an own goal do the damage at the Jamtkraft Arena

Daily Mail | February 15, 2018

Related Topics: Nacho Monreal, Arsenal F.C., Östersunds FK, UEFA Europa League, Own goal, Arsène Wenger, Single-elimination tournament, Penalty shoot-out (association football), Man, Swedes

Arsenal have one foot in the Europa League last-16 after easing to a 3-0 first leg win over Swedish minnows Ostersunds on Thursday evening.

The Gunners were in front on 13 minutes when Nacho Monreal punished a mistake from Ostersunds keeper Aly Keita and an own goal from Sotirios Papagiannopoulos made it 2-0 after 24 minutes.

Mesut Ozil's second-half strike effectively ended the contest ahead of the second leg before Tom Pettersson missed a late penalty for the home side, which takes place at the Emirates next Thursday.

Nacho Monreal roars with delight after giving Arsenal the lead on 13 minutes with a close-range finish from a rebound
Nacho Monreal roars with delight after giving Arsenal the lead on 13 minutes with a close-range finish from a rebound
Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates with Alex Iwobi (left) and Danny Welbeck (right) after the own goal put Arsenal two goals up
Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates with Alex Iwobi (left) and Danny Welbeck (right) after his cross resulted in an own goal
Mesut Ozil effectively killed off the tie in the 58th minute after collecting an incisive pass from Mkhitaryan and finishing
Mesut Ozil effectively killed off the tie in the 58th minute after collecting an incisive pass from Mkhitaryan and finishing
Arsene Wenger named a strong line-up for the knockout game as he bids to secure his first European trophy as Arsenal boss
Arsene Wenger named a strong line-up for the knockout game as he bids to secure his first European trophy as Arsenal boss
Ostersunds' impressive English manager Graham Potter gives instructions to his team as they struggled in the early stages
Ostersunds' impressive English manager Graham Potter gives instructions to his team as they struggled in the early stages
The Swedish minnows' supporters were out in force at the Jamtkraft Arena with flags of their badge and manager Potter
The Swedish minnows' supporters were out in force at the Jamtkraft Arena with flags of their badge and manager Potter
Wenger looks on from the dugout at the 9,000-capacity stadium as his Arsenal side established themselves early on
Wenger looks on from the dugout at the 9,000-capacity stadium as his Arsenal side established themselves early on
Shkodran Mustafi slides along the ground as he reaches a loose ball just ahead of Ostersunds' English winger Curtis Edwards
Shkodran Mustafi slides along the ground as he reaches a loose ball just ahead of Ostersunds' English winger Curtis Edwards
Monreal slotted home from close range after Ostersunds goalkeeper Aly Keita spilled an effort into the defender's path
Monreal slotted home from close range after Ostersunds goalkeeper Aly Keita spilled an effort into the defender's path
The Spanish defender wheels away in celebration after scoring his third goal in six matches to give Arsenal a 13th-minute lead
The Spanish defender wheels away in celebration after scoring his third goal in six matches to give Arsenal a 13th-minute lead
Monreal is congratulated after finishing from close range to give Arsenal the lead at the Jamtkraft Arena on Thursday
Monreal is congratulated after finishing from close range to give Arsenal the lead at the Jamtkraft Arena on Thursday
Mkhitaryan's cross was deflected into the bottom corner off Sotirios Papagiannopoulos' shoulder for an unfortunate own goal
Mkhitaryan's cross was deflected into the bottom corner off Sotirios Papagiannopoulos' shoulder for an unfortunate own goal
Danny Welbeck avoids the challenge of Ostersunds' midfielder Tom Pettersson during the first half of the last-32 clash
Danny Welbeck avoids the challenge of Ostersunds' midfielder Tom Pettersson during the first half of the last-32 clash
Ozil curls an effort on goal as Arsenal dominated the opening stages of their first leg against the Swedish minnows
Ozil curls an effort on goal as Arsenal dominated the opening stages of their first leg against the Swedish minnows
Ozil scampers after Brwa Nouri as Ostersunds' grew as an attacking threat in the first half and began to threaten the Gunners
Ozil scampers after Brwa Nouri as Ostersunds' grew as an attacking threat in the first half and began to threaten the Gunners
Mkhitaryan is upended by Samuel Mensah as both players are brought to ground in a midfield battle on Thursday evening
Mkhitaryan is upended by Samuel Mensah as both players are brought to ground in a midfield battle on Thursday evening
Edwards clips the ball forward under the watchful eye of Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the last-32 clash
Edwards clips the ball forward under the watchful eye of Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the last-32 clash
Saman Ghoddos, one of Ostersunds' most threatening players knocks the ball past Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny
Saman Ghoddos, one of Ostersunds' most threatening players knocks the ball past Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny
Ozil drives home Arsenal's third goal of the night with a shot that squirmed under Ostersunds' goalkeeper Keitau00a0
Ozil drives home Arsenal's third goal of the night with a shot that squirmed under Ostersunds' goalkeeper Keita
The German embraces Maitland-Niles after his strike left Arsenal with one foot in the Europa League round-of-16
The German embraces Maitland-Niles after his strike left Arsenal with one foot in the Europa League round-of-16
Ghoddos battles for possession against Ozil during the second half at the Jamtkraft Arena in northern Sweden
Ghoddos battles for possession against Ozil during the second half at the Jamtkraft Arena in northern Sweden
See full article at Daily Mail