Arsenal progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa League
Arsenal finished the 2016-2017 in fifth position. For the first time in Arsene Wenger’s 21 years as manager his side would not play Champions League football. Instead it was the Europa League.
The Gunners easily topped Group H to move on to the knockout rounds.
From there they dispatched Östersunds of Sweden to set up a difficult meeting with AC Milan. The Gunners defeated the Italians over both legs for a 5-1 aggregate and looked impressive in doing so.
CSKA were the opponents in the quarterfinals and again Wenger’s side were victorious 6-3 on aggregate.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, they were paired with Atletico Madrid in the semifinals. The Spaniards had finished third in their Champions League group and thus were competing in the Europa League.
Fortune seemed to be on the Gunners’ side when Madrid defender Sime Vrsaljko saw red after ten minutes. Wenger’s men dominated possession for the next 80 minutes but only found the net once when Lacazette scored in the 61st minute. Then the Londoners imploded on defense and allowed Antoine Griezmann to give his side an important away goal to equalize.
Diego Costa inflicted the final nail in Arsenal’s Europa League coffin in the second leg. They were dumped out 2-1 on aggregate and only had themselves to blame.
Next up, we’ll take a look at the bad.