Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs CSKA Moscow: 5 things we learned – Fabulous but flawed

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal is congratulated on scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Arsenal FC and CSKA Moskva at Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal is congratulated on scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Arsenal FC and CSKA Moskva at Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal is congratulated on scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Arsenal FC and CSKA Moskva at Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal is congratulated on scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Arsenal FC and CSKA Moskva at Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Arsenal hosted CSKA Moscow in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night. Here are five things we learned from the 5-0 win.

Arsenal carved open CSKA Moscow brilliantly on Thursday night. While there were issues with their performance, issues that I will touch on later, their attacking play was lovely to watch at times, scoring goals, creating chances, and playing some exhilarating football as they cut through the CSKA lines with beautiful precision and ease.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

Here are five things we learned from the 5-0 victory.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Arsene Wenger of Arsenal looks onduring the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Arsenal FC and CSKA Moskva at Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Arsene Wenger of Arsenal looks onduring the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Arsenal FC and CSKA Moskva at Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

5. Europa League is very much on

Slowly but surely, Arsene Wenger has been shifting his resources from the Premier League and to the Europa League. First it came by playing the likes of Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan against FK Ostersunds. Then he started resting the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny. And now he has swapped his goalkeeper rotation, though he claims otherwise, with Petr Cech starting here.

He will, then, be happy with his team’s performance and result here. A 4-1 win is always a good victory, but when it comes at home, in the first leg of a European tie which allows the team to now play in a counter-attacking manner in the second leg away from home, it is invaluable.

Arsenal now have the opportunity to play conservatively in Russia. They will not be chasing the game. They do not need to score vast amounts of goals. They can be considered and sensible, defending stoutly and playing on the break. Consequently, the semi-finals beckon for this team. The Europa League is very much on.