Aaron Ramsey has admitted the Europa League is now Arsenal's best chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League, putting added emphasis on Thursday's last-16 second leg against AC Milan.

Recent results in the Premier League have left Arsenal 12 points adrift of the top four, but there is hope in the Europa League, as they lead the tie against Milan 2-0 from the first leg.

"It is a massive opportunity for us so it's something we've got to be prepared to give everything for to try to achieve this," Ramsey said in Wednesday's press conference. "This game is very important for us and our season."

Arsenal won with goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ramsey in an impressive performance in Italy last week, but Ramsey said that would not matter in the second leg.

"We saw how good they are," he said. "We can't take our foot off the gas. It's important we treat it as 0-0 and go out there for the win."

Team news

Arsenal have Shkodran Mustafi available for Thursday's Europa League last-16 second-leg clash with AC Milan.

The Germany defender limped out of Sunday's win over Watford with a groin problem but is fit enough to keep his place.

Hector Bellerin (knee) and Nacho Monreal (back) are also in contention for recalls but Alexandre Lacazette (knee) and Santi Cazorla (Achilles) remain sidelined.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ineligible in Europe, Danny Welbeck is again likely to lead the line for the Gunners, with David Ospina expected to continue in goal in this competition.

For Milan, defender Davide Calabria has not travelled with the squad, meaning former Liverpool forward Fabio Borini could feature at right-back, having started in that position in their 1-0 win over Genoa on Sunday.

Opta stats

• Arsenal have progressed from each of their 11 previous European knockout ties when they've won the first leg away from home (excluding qualifiers).
• Milan haven't recovered from a two-goal first leg deficit to progress in a European tie since October 1985, when they eliminated Auxerre 4-3 on aggregate in the first round of the UEFA Cup despite losing 3-1 in the first leg.
• The Gunners, meanwhile, have never failed to progress in a European tie (including qualifiers) when they've won the first leg by two or more goals, progressing 24 times.
• No Italian side has ever won an away match in London in the Europa League (P6 W0 D3 L3), with five sides failing to win - Roma, Juventus, Lazio, Inter Milan and Fiorentina (twice).

Charlie's prediction

Well after the shambles of Arsenal's last home game in this competition, when they nearly blew it against Ostersund, Arsene Wenger will play a strong line-up with a free weekend to follow.

This team still have issues despite the 3-0 win at the weekend but they are slowly getting a response.

I do think at close to even money it is a great price on Arsenal to win given the quality of players who should play and it is another opportunity to build momentum, and get the fans that are there on side.

I'm actually going a step further and backing Arsenal to win by three or more goals against this bog-standard Milan side.

However, I also have a feeling that there might be an announcement by the manager either on Friday or over the weekend to confirm that he is going to step down in the summer, perhaps going upstairs, easing the tension and allowing the team to have a go for the Europa League without the same strain.

He knows the fans don't hate him, they're just angry with him, but it was the first time I've heard him use the word 'hate' and I just think he's realising he needs to do something to ease the anger. I think when he looks up and sees 25,000 fans in the stadium he created that he'll come to a decision that something has to change.

Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Ozil to score first (80/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Arsenal are even-money with Sky Bet to wrap up their progress with another victory, as Milan go up against odds of 14/5 to win on the night and 7/1 to qualify for the quarter-finals. The Gunners are currently 4/1 second favourites to win the Europa League, with Atletico Madrid considered their main opposition at 7/4 to lift the trophy. Danny Welbeck heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2, with Patrick Cutrone considered the visitors' main threat at 6/1 to net first.

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