Textbook Atleti performance dumps Arsenal out of the Europa League

Arsenal came into the game needing to score after conceding a late away goal at the Emirates last week, and their task got that little bit harder on the stroke of half-time thanks to the returning Diego Costa. As it was the ‘Gunners’ were not able to make any impact and will end their season without a trophy or Champions League football.

Arsene Wenger named an unchanged side to try and get the job done in a stadium where the home side have only conceded 18 times all season in the league, but he was soon forced into a change. Laurent Koscielny went down with a terrible Achilles injury that has ruled him out of the World Cup and a considerable amount of time after than. It has since been confirmed that it is a full rupture.

Thomas Partey, Gabi and Costa all came into the side for Diego Simeone and it was the Spain striker who continued his fine scoring form against Arsenal. With the first half in added time, Arsenal fell asleep defensively and Antoine Griezmann found Costa in space with Bellerin lagging far behind. The former Chelsea player closed down on goal and lifted an emphatic finish over David Ospina to give his team the lead on the night.

 

3 May 2018

Chances came and went for both sides in the second half but neither was able to make any further impact on the game. Arsenal in particular will be disappointed with the number of good positions they put themselves in, only to waste it with their final delivery. Both full backs were guilty of mishitting their crosses throughout the game when there were men on hand in the box.

The final whistle was met with raucous celebrations from Simeone - sat in the stand to serve a touchline ban after he was sent off last week - while the Arsenal players looked dejected. It is a sad end for Arsene Wenger in what was his 250th game taking charge in Europe. It will likely also be his last.

Atletico move onto the final in Lyon, having played in two Champions League finals since 2014. The ‘Gunners’ look set for a 6th place finish in the Premier League and will return to this competition next year.

 

3 May 2018