Arsenal fans arriving in Italy ahead of their club’s Europa League last 16 tie with Serie A giants AC Milan were handed a pleasant surprise when bitter rivals Spurs crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday evening after a 2-1 home defeat by Juventus.

Second half goals by La Vecchia Signora’s Gonzalo Higuain on 64 minutes followed 180 seconds later from Paulo Dybala knocked the Lillywhites out of Europe’s premier competition.

Earlier Son Heung-Min put the home side ahead six minutes before half-time before their dramatic exit delighted loyal travelling fans who made it to the northern Italian city hours before a national strike was set to cripple transport links.

More than 3,000 Gunners supporters are expected to make it to their club’s crunch clash at the San Siro with many managing to watch their neighbours demise.

Mick Rainsford, who has held a season ticket with the North London giants for thirty years told the Islington Gazette in bar near to the heart of the city and the iconic Duomo cathedral: “It was 1-0 to Spurs when we checked into our hotel this evening.

“But by the time we had our first beer Spurs were 2-1 down.

“I spent a fortune on my mobile data watching the last few minutes of the game – but it was worth every penny.”

Fellow season ticket holder Dom Langley added: “Power shift? Don’t make me laugh.

“We all want Arsene Wenger to leave but it’s always funny to laugh at Spurs – at least until we get knocked out tomorrow.”