Arsenal were eliminated in the round of 32 of the Europa League last night after a last minute winner was scored by Olympiakos at the Emirates, closing the gate to one of the pathways for the gunners in their hunt to return to the Champions League next season. Heartbreak, pain, and hopelessness was felt from Arsenal players and fans around the world, as it felt like winning the Europa League was their best chance of getting back into the Champions League next season. Although the loss felt like a dagger straight to the heart, there is always a lot to learn and this elimination could be a blessing in disguise and here are 3 takeaways from the match.
1. Focus on the Premier League
At the current moment Arsenal are 7 points away from 4th place, the last Champions League spot available through the league. Last night was Arsenal’s first defeat in 2020 and the squad must not let this affect their league form. Since Arteta’s arrival the defense has improved drastically and the attack is starting to get back it’s form from last season. Last night was the first time this season Arsenal has played terribly under Arteta. With the Europa League exit, now they’ll only play one or two games a week rather than two or three times a week which could improve their league form. If Manchester City’s ban isn’t revoked and 5th place gets a UCL spot, Arsenal are only 4 points away from getting into the Champions League, meaning they could sneak their way into the UCL next year.
2. Aubameyang must extend his contract
In the 113th minute Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored an incredible acrobatic goal that made Arsenal fans believe they would go through to the round of 16, but was later taken away from the abysmal defending from the corner. Aubameyang scored his 20th goal of the season for the gunners and has been leading the line for the past two years. Without him, Arsenal would legitimately be in the relegation zone in the Premier League. He’s scored 43% of their goals and their goal difference would -14 without him. I do not want to criticize him cause he’s carried the team, but his miss in the last minute can’t be unacknowledged. That miss could make him feel like the elimination is his fault (although it’s not) and could make him want to stay to repay Arsenal for that miss. He’s in his last years of his prime, if he wants to leave to win trophies for another team it’ll be understandable but he must keep in mind to look at Alexis Sanchez and Coutinho. They left their respective clubs for that reason and have both failed at their new clubs, I really doubt that’ll happen to him but nobody expected those two to drop off the way they did.
3. Arteta still has much to learn
Arsenal fans must remember Arteta has only been in charged for two months and the squad he hasn’t isn’t good enough. I believe Arteta will be a great manager and I hope he is backed in the summer by the Arsenal hierarchy. He’s had to face injury issues specifically at left back, but last night I feel he has about 40% of the blame with the players having the remaining 60%. He picked our strongest line up showing lack of squad rotation. Bellerin has came back from his injury and in my opinion hasn’t played any better than Maitland-Niles, he’s been dropped since Bellerin’s return and should’ve played last night. Richarlison was destroying Bellerin on Sunday’s clash against Everton and was once again being torn apart. Arteta’s substitutions were also pretty dreadful, Lacazette was the worst player on the pitch and wasn’t subbed off until the 105th minute. It’s been a month and Pablo Mari still hasn’t played a single game this season, he was brought in to allow rotation in defence to prevent injuries and Mustafi received a injury last night coincidentally. Overall, Arteta is still learning but this was by far his biggest, and one of a few mistakes he’s made in his debut season.
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