Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League following a 0-0 draw with Villarreal at the Emirates on Thursday night.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang struck the woodwork twice as the Gunners were unable to make a breakthrough, seeing them lose their semi-final tie 2-1 on aggregate.
Mikel Arteta named two changes from the first leg, bringing in Bellerín and Aubameyang for Chambers and the suspended Ceballos. Xhaka picked up a knock in the warmup, forcing a third change as Tierney returned to the side at left back.
Arsenal started the game slowly, with last week’s poor start weighing on their minds. The first couple of chances fell the way of Villarreal with Chukwueze and Parejo striking long range efforts which Leno had covered.
Arsenal’s first chance came in the 26th minute as an Ødegaard cross caused chaos in the Villarreal box. Parejo inadvertently flicked it on towards the back post, falling to Aubameyang who volleyed it back in, only for Parejo to volley it back to him. Aubameyang then curled the ball with the outside of his foot, seeing the ball spin onto the post.
Opportunities continued to fall to the Gunners with Aubameyang, Pépé, Smith Rowe and Holding all failing to capitalise.
The chance of the game fell to Aubameyang just 12 minutes from time. Pépé launched a counter down the right, carrying the ball over the halfway line before releasing Bellerín ahead. The Spaniard crossed first time with Aubameyang rising to meet it, heading the ball onto the inside of the post before being hooked away by Albiol.
Arteta was left dejected reflecting on the game, saying: ‘What I felt last night was a deep pain. I had a feeling that if we could take the team to the final, it could be a great turning point.’
Instead, it leaves Arsenal without European football for the first time in 25 years and without the finances and pulling power associated with European competition.
The spotlight has now been placed on Mikel Arteta with his side struggling to finish top half in the Premier League and crashing out of the cups.
Given the circumstances of the season and the fact he has only had one summer transfer window, Arteta should continue to lead Arsenal for the upcoming season. Despite his concerning use of substitutes and overthinking certain team selections, he simply has not had enough time to transform the squad.
When Emery was sacked in November 2019, Arsenal were 8th having won just 4 of their 13 Premier League games, following an end of season collapse to miss out on top 4 the prior campaign. Clearly issues with the squad run beyond Arteta, and even Emery.
The current Arsenal squad is not a quick fix, with progression relying on the improvement of players currently at the club. Gabriel has not looked the same since suffering from Covid, Partey looks completely unfit from his injuries and lack of pre-season, and Aubameyang has struggled with various off the field issues and is enduring his worst scoring season since 2013/14.
This season, Arteta has had to rely on young players such as Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli to drive the team forward but it is clear that a lot has been asked of them during a period when they are still developing.
There is no reason all of these players cannot improve next season, and with a few smart additions to the squad, the team should be better, but it is wrong to expect Arsenal to suddenly become a top 4 side next season, with or without Arteta.
Arsenal breezed past Newcastle United 2-0 at St James’ Park last Sunday, taking them back into the top half of the Premier League table.
Arteta made 8 changes from the side that lost to Villarreal, bringing in Ryan, Bellerín, Luiz, Gabriel, Elneny, Willian, Martinelli and Aubameyang.
Arsenal got off to a flying start, scoring their fastest goal of the Premier League season 6 minutes in. Luiz clipped a ball into the channel for Bellerín who pulled it back for Aubameyang. The Arsenal captain made a mess of the shot with the ball flicking up to the edge of the box for Elneny who smashed it in on the half volley to score his first ever Premier League goal.
Elneny 1-0
It was a game with few clear-cut chances as neither side really pushed too hard given they both have little to play for in the remainder of the league season.
Arsenal were able to secure the win in the 66th minute. Xhaka rolled the ball into Aubameyang who laid it off for Ceballos. The Spaniard found Ødegaard who played it to Aubameyang who was eventually tackled, with the ball falling back to Ødegaard. The Norwegian played it out wide to Martinelli who curled a superb first time cross to a flying Aubameyang at the back post who finished acrobatically.
Aubameyang 2-0
The win takes Arsenal into 9th, 5 points off of 7th and a game behind, leaving Arsenal with little to play for in their final four games of the season.
For Arteta, the aim now should be to finish in the top half of the league and to begin preparing for next season, giving minutes to the likes of Martinelli and Balogun.
Over the upcoming week, Arsenal face West Brom at the Emirates at 7:00pm on Sunday and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at 8:15pm on Wednesday.
West Brom are all but relegated at this point and have struggled for much of the season. Perhaps the slim chance of staying up will drive them on but it is difficult to see it not being a relatively routine win for Arsenal.
On the flip side, Chelsea are in the thick of a top 4 battle, having just progressed to the Champions League final in midweek. The West London side are on a roll at the moment and given Arsenal’s current vulnerabilities, it is set to be hard viewing for Arsenal fans.
Predictions:
Arsenal 2 – 0 West Brom
Chelsea 4 – 0 Arsenal
Adam Perry – 07/05/2021