Arsenal took on CSKA Moscow in the quarter-finals of the Europa League at the Emirates aiming to build an advantage ahead of the return leg in Russia next week.
The Gunners took control early on when Aaron Ramsey fired home, only for the Russian side to respond with a memorable free-kick from Aleksandr Golovin.
CSKA were unable to keep up with Arsenal, however, as Alexandre Lacazette finished from the spot before Ramsey returned once again with a sublime chipped effort to put Arsene Wenger's men into a 3-1 lead.
Lacazette returned to add a fourth for the Gunners before the break, as the Premier League side took control of the tie ahead of a trip to the VEB Arena.
Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Evening all and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Arsenal's clash with CSKA Moscow in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Arsene Wenger's charges welcome the Russian side to the Emirates knowing that winning this tournament presents their final chance of qualifying for the Champions League next term.
ARSENAL STARTING XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Wilshere; Ramsey, Ozil, Mkhitaryan; Lacazette
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Holding, Iwobi, Chambers, Welbeck, Kolasinac, El Neny, Macey
CSKA STARTING XI: Akinfeev; A. Berezutski, V. Berezutski, Ignashevich; Shchennikov, Natcho, Kuchaev, Golovin, Dzagoev; Wernbloom, Musa
CSKA MOSCOW SUBSTITUTES: Pomazun, Milanov, Vitinho, Bistrovic, Chalov, Zhamaletdinov, Khosonov
As expected Alexandre Lacazette makes his return up top after missing out recently in Europe through injury. The frontman is to be supported by a creative three of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Jack Wilshere sits a little deeper alongside Granit Xhaka, although Wilshere might be interchangeable with Ramsey at times this evening.
Stopper Petr Cech has also been able to start in goal despite rumours of a potential injury and he will look to marshal a four-man defence made up from Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal.
For the visiting Russians, the key inclusions see rising youngster Aleksandr Golovin providing an attacking threat alongside Alan Dzagoev, who will both be looking to supply a forward partnership of Pontus Wernbloom and Ahmed Musa.
Arsenal are heading into the game off the back of two straight wins victories and away in the Europa League and have also seen some revived performances in the Premier League of late.
Wenger's men had previously suffered from a problematic run of four straight defeats in all competitions. The Gunners fell short in the League Cup final and also endured two losses in the Premier League against Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Those defeats in the league have ultimately left Wenger's men far adrift of a fourth-placed finish, which would guarantee some sort of Champions League football next term. Winning this tournament now looks like the only hope for the Gunners to put themselves back amid Europe's elite when we get back underway again in August.
Following that tough run in the league, the Europa appears to have given Wenger's men a slight lift of late. The side find themselves in the quarters thanks to a commanding two-legged win over AC Milan in the last 16.
The two wins over the Italians have spurred Arsenal into a promising run of form that has now seen them put together four wins on the bounce. Arsenal won their last two Premier League games against Watford and Stoke City courtesy of 3-0 victories.
Looking at this fixture, the Gunners have tended to do well at home against Russian opponents of late. Wenger's men have three clean sheets in a row when taking on Russian opponents at home.
Arsenal have, however, lost four of their last eight fixtures against Russian opponents in UEFA competitions.
Recent political developments will likely see Arsenal travel to Russia under a rather tense atmosphere and the Gunners will enter territory that has sometimes proven difficult for English clubs to prosper in. Taking an advantage from the home leg eastward next week could be crucial for the Premier League side.
Given Welbeck's recent knock and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being cup tied, the return of Lacazette could be vital for Arsenal tonight:
He's back...#LacaNewSigning 😉 pic.twitter.com/oUtjEk1vou — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 5, 2018
CSKA have been through and up and down campaign in Europe, having suffered in the Champions League before falling into this tournament after failing in the elite group stages.
The Russians have so far met English opposition 19 times in their history. CSKA have won three, drawn five and lost eleven. The last time Moscow visited UK shores, CSKA lost 2-1 to Manchester United in the group stages of the Champions League back in December.
That loss sees CSKA on a five-game losing streak against English sides. The club's only victory on English soil came courtesy of a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League during the 2014-15 season.
Those statistics perhaps look a little worrying for Viktor Goncharenko's men, then. The club do, however, have a fairly good away record in Europe this term. CSKA have won five of their seven European away ties. The club were impressive in Champions League wins away at both Benfica and Basel. In fact, the Champions League loss against United represents the club's only away defeat in Europe this season.
Goncharenko and his men find themselves in north London this evening after producing an unlikely comeback win over Lyon in the previous round. CSKA lost the first leg 1-0 in Russia, before bouncing back to claim a memorable 3-2 victory in France in order to progress via away goals.
The Russians face the Gunners after some good form domestically too. CSKA haven't been at their best this term in the Russian Premier League, but have won three games in a row to leave themselves five points adrift of leaders and fierce rivals Lokomotiv Moscow.
The two teams have actually only met on two occasions competitively and Wenger's side are yet to beat CSKA. They last met in the group stages of the Champions League during the 2006-07 season. CSKA first welcomed Arsenal to Moscow, where the Russians won with a slender 1-0 victory. Back in London, CSKA battled to a 1-0 win.
PREDICTION! Right, not long until kickoff now and it's time to make a prediction. This tournament is a crucial one for Arsenal when considering the Champions League next term and they have so far performed well during the knockout stages. The Gunners also enter into the game on a run of promising wins. CSKA do not have the greatest of records travelling to the UK, while Arsenal have produced three straight shutouts against Russian opposition at home. I'm backing Wenger's men to take a slight advantage to Moscow next week - 2-1 to the Gunners...
Some impressive stats for Ozil here, he could be crucial in the final for Arsenal as they aim to take a lead to the VEB Arena:
This guy starts too - and, as ever, his assist stats make for impressive reading 🙌#WeveGotOzil 〽️ pic.twitter.com/yDByQKnyRy — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 5, 2018
Wenger has said in the build-up to this game that he hopes both sides will not be hindered by the political turmoil that surrounds this fixture: "Honestly, nobody knows really what's going on. I just hope it won't affect both ties and that it will not affect the Russian people who come over here and English people who want to travel there."
The Frenchman has just told BT Sport his thoughts ahead of the contest too: "It is an opportunity but it's a bit tricky when you play the first game at home to find the balance between going forward and defending. CSKA Moscow won in Lyon and have had some good results away from home. To win we're going to have to be at our best."
One interesting thing to look out for tonight from a CSKA perspective is frontman Wernbloom. The Sweden international has spent most of his career back in midfield, but has shone up front recently. Wernbloom has scored six goals in 12 showings when featuring in attack for CSKA.
It is worth remembering before we head into kickoff that there are some real tough teams left in the competition still. Should Arsenal progress, they could still face the likes of Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig and Lazio.
We are just a few minutes away from kickoff now as the players start to gather in the tunnel!
Right, we're into a few anthems and then we should be good to go at the Emirates. Can Arsenal continue their promising form in this competition?
KICKOFF! Away we go then, Arsenal get us moving kicking from left to right. The hosts feature in red and white, while CSKA are in dark blue.
The Gunners start brightly as they move the ball around inside the CSKA half. Ramsey aims to find a neat ball beyond the last man for the run of Wilshere, but Ignashevich is able to step in to clear.
CLOSE! Fantastic approach play... Monreal cuts the ball back from deep on the left for Ramsey and he picks out a slide rule ball into the box for Mkhitaryan. The winger opens up to shoot, but can only fire viciously into the side netting without troubling Akinfeev.
OFFSIDE! Arsenal think they have the lead when Ozil breaks free into space to collect a through ball. The German then cuts a pass across the box for Ramsey, who prods beyond Akinfeev. The linesman has his flag raised, though, for what looks to be a borderline offside call on Ozil as he found space on the right wing.
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 CSKA MOSCOW (AARON RAMSEY)
They can't rule that out, though - Arsenal are on fire here. Some standout short passing allows Ozil to slip Bellerin into space on the right flank. The full-back gets his head up to drill a pass into the danger area, where it runs through to Ramsey. The Welshman makes no mistake with his finish as he smashes past a helpless Akinfeev.
The Gunners' passing just short of the CSKA box is causing all sorts of issues at the moment, especially in allowing both Bellerin and Nacho to really exploit the gaps in behind as they tear down their respective wings. The Russians need to be careful.
Cech throws brilliantly to find Ozil in space in the centre of the park, and he opens up his body in attempt to thread Mkhitaryan beyond on the counter. The Armenian gladly accepts as he charges into space, only to be flagged for offside.
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-1 CKSA MOSCOW (ALEKSANDR GOLOVIN)
Where did that come from? Koscielny gives away a cheap free kick on the edge of the box. It presents Golovin with a chance to test Cech and test him he certainly does. The youngster steps up to send a wonderful curling finish over the wall and beyond the stranded stopper. CSKA have a vital away goal now...
This game is really open now as Arsenal canter forward once more with Monreal, but his cross into the middle is hoofed away by Berezutski.
Neither defence looks completely convincing here, particularly the visiting one when Arsenal look to use their width. The ball appears to break kindly for Lacazette beyond the last man, only for another offside decision to go against the Gunners.
PENALTY TO ARSENAL!
GOAL! ARSENAL 2-1 CSKA MOSCOW (ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE, PENALTY)
What an opening... Space opens up for Ozil to race into as he moves in on goal. Schennikov comes in with a tackle and is unable to win the ball. Ozil hits the deck, but at first the referee is having none of it. The official is soon swayed by his linesman and gives Arsenal the penalty. Lacazette makes no mistake from the spot, sending Akinfeev the wrong way to give the hosts another lead.
Wenger will be urging his side to show a little more experience now that they find themselves ahead. Away goals could be problematic in a hostile Russian atmosphere and the Gunners will want to keep CSKA to just one come the end of tonight.
Still CSKA come back at the Gunners despite that crushing blow. It's Musa causing issues this time as he charges down the left. The striker cuts inside under pressure from Mustafi, but can only fire an effort into the side netting.
GOAL! ARSENAL 3-1 CSKA MOSCOW (AARON RAMSEY)
My word, how to describe this from Ramsey? Ozil is fed on the edge of the area and he spots the run of Ramsey off the last man. The playmaker chips a ball into the air beyond the defence, where Ramsey breaks free to attack it. The keeper is rushing off his line too, although Ramsey judges things brilliantly and lifts the ball over the Akinfeev's head first time to give Arsenal a third inside 30 minutes. Outstanding...
Moscow respond as Musa charges down the other end and squares for Berezutski to shoot on the edge of the area, although he blazes almost comically over the crossbar.
Things are a little too easy for Arsenal on the edge of the Moscow area, the visitors are giving them far too much time and space to pick out their forward passes.
CHANCE! Another perfect example of that issue. This time Ozil finds space and turns a delivery beyond just like before, where Ramsey can only send a looping header straight into the arms of a grateful Akinfeev.
GOAL! ARSENAL 4-1 CSKA MOSCOW (ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE)
This is a tad shameful from the Russians. Arsenal make easy inroads down the left channel, where Wilshere is fed to advance towards the defence. The playmaker squares across the box, where the ball lands kindly at the feet of Lacazette. The Frenchman again makes no mistake, drilling down low into the bottom corner under pressure from his marker.
The goals do not appear to be preventing CSKA from venturing forward. The visitors push men up the pitch and are almost countered when Wilshere looks for the run of Bellerin, but Berezutski is alert to prevent the danger.
Slight glimmers of some Russian danger as Musa uses some rapid pace to work Bellerin. The striker drills towards Dzagoev, although the midfielder shanks his effort over the bar under pressure from both Mustafi and Koscielny.
SHOT! It's Musa creating all of the issues going forward for CSKA. This time the Leicester City loanee drives at goal and is able to shake off Mustafi, but his shot deflects off bodies on its way to goal and falls kindly for Cech to gather.
Arsenal are slicing the visitors to ribbons on the counter. Bellerin profits this time as he is fed into space on the right. The full-back has a few targets to aim for in the middle, although Ignashevich is first to the cross.
HALF TIME: ARSENAL 4-1 CSKA MOSCOW
An absolute mauling so far from Arsenal come half time. Wenger's men are three goals to the good after some blistering displays of attacking football. CSKA have been far too open at the back and in midfield, leaving Arsenal to cut through them at almost every available opportunity.
This lead puts Arsenal into a great position going into the second leg, although another away goal might just give CSKA an outside chance heading back to Russia next week. The Gunners have looked sublime going forward, but have often been a touch shaky at the back. Musa has caused the standout issues in the Russians' forward line.
Heading into the second half Wenger will be keen for his side to tighten up slightly. They have the game firmly in their own grasp here and arguably one foot in the semi-finals. This is Arsenal, however, so you never really know...
SECOND HALF! We are moving again at the Emirates, CSKA getting things started in the second period...
CHANCE! Ozil is on a superhuman level this evening. The German drives down the right and sends a wonderful ball towards the back post for Mkhitaryan, who somehow manages to skew across goal and wide with just Akinfeev to beat.
Arsenal really look to be enjoying themselves already as they zip the ball about with real pace inside the visiting half. Hats off to Ozil here, his movement, touch and final ball have been outstanding.
CLOSE! The Gunners move the ball with pace on the edge of the box, where Monreal is found on the overlap. The Spaniard squares for Ramsey inside the area, who is then denied a memorable hat-trick as his finish flashes off the ankle of Ignashevich and wide.
CSKA are failing to learn any lessons at the moment. Again they leave Arsenal with too much time on the ball, almost allowing Monreal to be realised into space down the left.
SAVE! That should be a fifth for the Gunners and another chance for a hat-trick for Ramsey. Akinfeev can only parry Mkhitaryan's shot back out into the middle, where Ramsey pops a rebound back over the crossbar under pressure from Berezutski.
YELLOW CARD! Mkhitaryan shows a good turn of pace and he wrong-foots Schennikov, who goes into the book for bringing the winger to the ground.
Arsenal appear to have sorted things at the back in the second period. The hosts look solid in defence as they marshal Wernbloom.
SUBSTITUTION: Arsenal are forced into an early change as Mkhitaryan is replaced by fellow winger Alex Iwobi.
OFFSIDE! Wernbloom is given the chance to turn and he forces Cech into a smart save. The abll pops up kindly for Dzagoev to head home, but he is ruled out for offside.
Russian fans tend to get a lot of bad press, but these CSKA supporters are bringing a delightful atmosphere to the Emirates. Despite the scoreline, the visitors are still chanting hard in the stands.
CLOSE! Ozil is defying explanation at the moment. He is given space once more on the edge of the area, where he threads a ball beyond for Iwobi. The substitute should go it alone and convert, but he decides to go the extra pass for Lacazette, who is soon flagged for offside.
Arsenal still seem intent on grabbing another goal here, Iwobi again finding space problematic space on the left flank. Another away goal could slightly change the complexion of this tie, though.
CHANCE! Wilshere comes alive and is able to find Iwobi off the shoulder of the last man. The winger sends a ball across the box for Ozil on the far side, who is denied a much-deserved goal by a strong stop by Akinfeev down low.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Lacazette gets a standing ovation as he comes off to be replaced by Danny Welbeck up top. Wilshere is also taken off for Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal are in cruise control here and based on this performance you would back them to score away in Russia too. CSKA will surely have to pull off something pretty memorable in the second leg.
CROSSBAR! Ramsey is at it again and he almost completes that elusive hat-trick. The midfielder opens up from range and his bending effort crashes back off the crossbar with Akinfeeve beaten.
YELLOW CARD! Bellerin goes into the book now as the full-back gets a little too tight on Wernbloom.
The Gunners have just stepped off the gas a little now as they look to keep possession heading into the final 10 minutes. The hosts clearly well aware of the risk that another away goal might bring come next week.
SUBSTITUTE: Musa has arguably been CSKA's redeeming quality tonight, but he comes off in place of Khetag Khosonov late on.
Is there to be a sting at the end of this clash for Arsenal? The Gunners have been brilliant here, but can CSKA spring a surprise? The game has slightly drifted after those substitutions.
Some late endeavour from Arsenal finds Iwobi with room over on the left flank, but he cannot make the most of the space ahead as he is shut down by Berezutski.
Three minutes of additional time here...
FULL TIME: ARSENAL 4-1 CSKA MOSCOW
So there we have it, Arsenal head to the VEB Arena with a three goal advantage. Given their showing tonight, you would not put it past them to score an away goal in Russia too, which would leave this contest pretty much beyond CSKA. Moscow still have a slight chance at home next Thursday, although the Gunners' three-goal advantage gives them more than the upper hand. That's going to be it from me, thanks for joining us.
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
