Arsenal Earn Spot in Europa League Semi-Finals with Draw vs. CSKA Moscow

Arsenal booked their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League after a 2-2 second-leg draw at CSKA Moscow on Thursday.

Goals either side of half-time from Fedor Chalov and Kirill Nababkin gave the hosts hope of pulling off a comeback, but Arsenal hit back through Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey to seal a 6-3 aggregate win.

Nervy Night for Arsenal

Arsenal made it through, but it was an awfully nervy night after CSKA Moscow threatened an unlikely comeback.

Chalov gave the hosts hope just before the break, and a second from Nababkin five minutes after half-time had the visitors wobbling.

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The hosts were just a goal away from being ahead in the tie and went close when Sergei Ignashevich crashed a shot just wide.

However, Welbeck's goal effectively killed off the match, as he netted with Arsenal's first shot on target, before Ramsey scored in stoppage time.

Wilshere Fails Russia Audition

Jack Wilshere put in the sort of performance that will have hindered any chances of making Gareth Southgate's FIFA 2018 World Cup squad.

The midfielder could not stop giving the ball away after the break and was unsurprisingly replaced by Calum Chambers just after the hour mark. 

ESPN FC's Mattias Karen questioned if he will make it back to Russia this summer:

Wilshere was named in Southgate's last squad but was forced to pull out due to injury. On this evidence, he may struggle to get back in.

Moscow Fans Don't Feel the Cold

The home supporters were determined to enjoy the evening no matter the result and produced a superb atmosphere at the VEB Arena.

BBC Sport's Richard Conway showed the home fans in action:

The CSKA Moscow supporters were also not put off by the cold temperatures in the Russian capital, as shown by James Olley at the Evening Standard:

The home team gave their fans plenty to cheer about as they moved into a 2-0 lead, and a shock looked on the cards before Arsenal made the game safe.

Arsenal's Season is Still Alive

Arsenal's hopes of Champions League qualification remain alive as they join Atletico Madrid, Marseille and Red Bull Salzburg in the last four of the competition.

It's Arsenal's first European semi-final since 2008/09, as shown by WhoScored.com:

The Gunners will probably hope to avoid been drawn against Atletico Madrid in Friday's semi-final draw, as Diego Simeone's side look the strongest team left in the competition.

Marseille also impressed as they beat RB Leipzig 5-3, while Salzburg saw off Lazio. Arsenal, meanwhile, will need to improve on Thursday's showing if they are to lift the trophy.

What's Next?

Both teams return to domestic action on Sunday, with CSKA Moscow away at FC Ufa and Arsenal facing Newcastle United at St James' Park. 

The Gunners will also be keeping an eye out on Friday's Europa League draw to discover who they will face in the semi-finals of the tournament.