5 things we learnt from this week’s games

All attention was turned to the Europa League on Thursday, March 15 for the round of 16 second leg fixtures.

In some of the biggest games of the night, Arsenal completed their Italian job with a 3-1 home win over AC Milan while Atletico Madrid affirmed their favourite tag with a 5-1 win away at Lokomotiv Moscow.

These are five things we learnt from the fixtures

1. Forget Welbeck’s dive, Arsenal were too much for AC Milan

Arsenal dispatched to confirm their progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League which presents the only trophy opportunity for them and their only route back to the Champions League.

Arsenal made light work of AC Milan in the two legs.

Despite going one goal down and the controversial penalty with which Danny Welbeck scored from, it was never in doubt that the game was Arsenal’s own to be taken. They took it and are now in the quarter-final.

2. Atletico Madrid firm favourite for the Europa League

The 2017/2018 Europa League title is one for the taking for Atletico Madrid. Trailing Barcelona by eight points and out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, it is hard to think of any time that can stop Atletico in the Europa League this season.

Only Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are ranked higher in UEFA's club coefficient table than Atletico Madrid.

5-1 against Lokomotiv Moscow, they are waiting for their quarter-final opponent.

3. Leipzig comfortable in Europa League

Leipzig qualified for the 2017/2018 Champions League after their fantastic debut season in the Bundesliga.

They, however, crashed out in the group stage into the Europa League where they have been more comfortable.

They knocked Napoli in the round of 32 and have now progressed to the quarter-final after seeing off Zenith Saint Petersburg.

4. Dimitri Payet on target again

If his talent is in doubt, Payet has continued to deliver for Marseille at least in the Europa League this season.

He scored again against Athletic Bilbao to ensure Marseille's progress to the quarter-final.

Payet has created the most chances for Marseille this season and if he continues scoring like this in the Europa League, don’t count out the French side for the title.

5. Ahmed Musa at home at CSKA Moscow

After a torrid one and half years at Leicester City, Musa is back at CSKA Moscow where he is feeling right at home.

He netted and was impressive in their 3-2 win at to overturn a 1-0 loss in the first leg. He is nowhere the level he was in his first stint at CSKA Moscow but Lyon, he was impressive and should have scored more goals.