Danny Welbeck struck twice, including a controversial penalty, as Arsenal beat AC Milan 3-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate in their round of 16 Europa League tie.
Arsenal took a 2-0 advantage into the second leg and both sides had good chances in what was an open match at the Emirates.
AC Milan gave the hosts an early scare inside the opening two minutes as Andre Silva flashed a shot into the side netting.
Arsenal's first chance fell to Laurent Koscielny, but the defender's header looped over the bar before he was forced off injured after just 10 minutes. After the match manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the injury does not seem as bad as it looked and, although it isn't serious,the defender cramped up at the time and couldn't continue.
The Gunners came even closer after 25 minutes when Henrikh Mkhitaryan set up Welbeck, but the striker's effort was well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Milan goal.
Milan turned the tie on its head and moved to within one goal of Arsenal after Hakan Calhanoglu's superb piercing strike from 30 yards after 36 minutes.
Arsenal raced up the other end to level the match via a controversial penalty. Welbeck got the wrong side of Ricardo Rodriguez after being played in by Mkhitaryan before going down under very minimal contact from the defender. It was very soft, but the penalty was given and Welbeck calmly slotted it past Donnarumma.
Milan wasted the chance to move back in front when Calhanoglu sliced a shot wide before Alessio Romagnoli lofted an effort over the crossbar.
The hosts also missed an opportunity to regain their lead on the night late in the first half as Jack Wilshere's effort was well kept out by Donnarumma.
Arsenal went in at the break at 1-1 and crucially 3-1 up on aggregate, meaning there was no chance of extra time and the next 45 minutes would decide the outcome one way or another.
Donnarumma came to Milan's rescue within seven minutes of the restart as Mkhitaryan latched onto a pass from Mesut Ozil before seeing his shot parried away for a corner by the visiting goalkeeper.
Milan refused to give up and were still creating chances with Suso's shot from the edge of the penalty area sailing just wide, before youngster Patrick Cutrone sent his volley off target.
Nikola Kalinic wasted a glorious chance to get Milan back in the tie after 68 minutes when a swerving cross picked him out in a great position, but the substitute could only send his header straight into the arms of David Ospina.
Arsenal moved 2-1 in front on the night and three goals clear on aggregate with a well-taken, yet fortuitous goal, after 71 minutes. Granit Xhaka powered a long-range shot towards goal and, although he hit it well, Donnarumma should have done better than to allow it to squirm into the net.
The hosts added further gloss to the scoreline five minutes from time when Wilshere ran into the box and clipped a cross in, which Donnarumma spilled and Welbeck was able to head in the rebound.
The lively Wilshere nearly grabbed a late goal for himself as his curling effort sailed just wide, but it didn't stop Arsenal from securing their place in this season's Europa League quarter-final.
QUARTER FINALS
When we got drawn against AC Milan I think many people feared the worst, especially with our poor form going into the first leg, but instead we showed grit and determination to deservedly book our place in the final eight.
There are some excellent sides still left in the competition, most notably Atletico Madrid, so whoever we face it won't be easy.
The other seven sides into the quarter final are Atletico Madrid, Marseille, Lazio, Sporting Lisbon, RB Leipzig, Salzburg and CSKA Moscow.
FC Red Bull Salzburg knocked out out Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 so certainly can't be underestimated, but I think they would be my ideal pick to face in the next round.
No tie is going to be easy, but I think if we can at least avoid Atletico Madrid then we stand a good chance.
Roll on Friday's draw so we can find out who we will be playing in the quarter final.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
It is frustrating to think our next game is now not until April's visit of Stoke, so a break of more than two weeks.
We were due to play Leicester next, but that has been delayed due to the Foxes' involvement in the FA Cup. Weirdly the new clash against Leicester at the moment appears to be after the final league weekend of the season is meant to be.
Although the wait for the next game is annoying, at least we got the job done and got through our two-legged tie with Milan!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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