Atletico, the 2012 Europa League winners, brushed aside Sporting Lisbon 2-0 while late goals from Felipe Anderson and Ciro Immobile gave Lazio a 4-2 win over Salzburg after the visiting Austrians had twice drawn level. Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey and France striker Alexandre Lacazette scored two goals each for Arsenal, cancelling out a superb free kick by CSKA's midfielder Aleksandr Golovin at the Emirates stadium. Germany forward Mesut Ozil also shone as Arsenal's crisp one-touch passing repeatedly carving open a cumbersome Russian defence.FT: 4-1 Arsenal have too much quality for CSKA. One foot in the Europa League semi-finals? Live: https://t.co/eqX1T2c6yx#ARSCSKA pic.twitter.com/fm8lTMFnG6
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 5, 2018
Ramsey fired Arsenal ahead before Golovin equalised with an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 metres. Lacazette restored Arsenal's lead with a penalty and unleashed a swerving left-foot shot to make it 4-1 after Ramsey had scored his second, dispatching a brilliant lob over CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev with his back to goal. Ramsey, who hit the woodwork in the second half when Akinfeev made several fine saves, was delighted.Decent European night in North London ??? Feeling really happy I could help my team with a hattrick of assists ⚽⚽⚽ #YaGunnersYa #UEL @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/74pIIV7Tpk
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) April 5, 2018
"I like to make those late runs into the box, I had plenty of opportunities but I am glad I was able to contribute to the team," he told BT Sport. "We know it will be difficult in Russia, but we have put ourselves in a good position." Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was also a happy man.FT - Arsenal cruise to a 4-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final Report: https://t.co/ZjYPp4TxJ6 pic.twitter.com/DDN2LLfBFI
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 5, 2018
"I think we have done enough of a job tonight, there was a good pace in the first half, the two teams gave everything which is why is was such a spectacular first half," he said. Atletico, second in Spain's La Liga, extended their winning home streak in all competitions to nine games after Koke scored inside the opening 30 seconds and Antoine Griezmann added the second shortly before halftime.10 - Alexandre Lacazette has scored 10 goals in his last 13 Europa League appearances, with these his first two as an Arsenal player in the competition (eight for Lyon). Blossoming. pic.twitter.com/XA3QZl29wt
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 5, 2018
Both scorers took advantage of sloppy defending, with Diego Costa setting up Koke for the opener while Griezmann capitalised on an error by fellow Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu to fire a crisp low shot into the bottom corner.Atletico Madrid are the Europa League favourites. Their goal after 23 seconds showed why!https://t.co/ddQG9Q5taw pic.twitter.com/UliHf5LIcc
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 5, 2018
Italy's Lazio ended Salzburg's 35-game unbeaten run stretching back to August after the Austrian side were undone by late goals from Anderson and Immobile. Marco Parolo scored the game's most eye-catching goal with a cheeky back-heel to give Lazio a 2-1 lead after a Valon Berisha penalty had cancelled out Senad Lulic's opener in Rome.Atlético have now gone 800+ minutes without conceding a home goal in all competitions ? pic.twitter.com/YxpnMCYRvs
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 5, 2018
Takumi Minamino made it 2-2 as adventurous Salzburg looked like causing an upset before Anderson and Immobile struck in quick succession. Germany's Leipzig, playing in European competition for the first time, put themselves in a good position to progress after a Timo Werner goal on the stroke of halftime sank Marseille. The second legs take place next Thursday.Three goals in the opening 10 minutes across the Europa League games! Arsenal 1-0 CSKA Atletico Madrid 1-0 Sporting Lazio 1-0 Salzurg What a start ? pic.twitter.com/82E9AMEIGp
— Goal (@goal) April 5, 2018
⏰FULL TIME! ⏰ 4⃣home wins ✅ Performance of the night?#UEL pic.twitter.com/HedHErxK0A
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 5, 2018