For years, Arsenal have been regular competitors in the Champions League, but it was the Europa League that was made hugely important for the club this season.

With the North London outfit 13 points adrift of the top four, their only route to the elite competition was by winning the second-tiered version.

Arsenal had to get past Atletico Madrid to reach the final, but they shot themselves in the foot during the first leg when some poor defending resulted in an equaliser from the Spanish side.

Due to the away goal in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates, Arsenal knew that they needed to score on Thursday night in order to have any hope of progressing into the final.

However, despite spells of dominance in Spain, Arsene Wenger's men were unable to find the breakthrough, and were later punished by former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who scored the only goal of the game.

The elimination was made even worse by the fact that it is Wenger's last season in charge of the North London outfit as he prepares to leave after a two-decade spell this summer.

On Twitter, a number of Arsenal fans took aim at the Frenchman, claiming that he has now wrecked his legacy, despite the fact that during his tenure he guided the Gunners to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.

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