The Arsenal team knew that they had to step up on Thursday when they faced Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final tie in the Europa League.

So much was riding on the contest as it was the club's only realistic route of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

The Gunners will finish outside of the top four for a second season running as they currently reside 14 points adrift of arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy fourth spot.

Not only would winning the competition put Arsenal into the elite contest next season, it would have been a fitting send-off for manager Arsene Wenger, who is stepping down at the end of the campaign.

Many would say that the damage was done in the first leg when Atletico scored a crucial away goal at the Emirates to make it 1-1.

Diego Simeone's side knew that all they had to do was prevent the Gunners from scoring on their turf on Thursday night.

The Spanish outfit managed to do so, and more, as former Chelsea hitman Diego Costa netted the only goal of the game.

Defensively, Arsenal were poor again, and Nacho Monreal was one of the players targeted with abuse after the final whistle.

The Spaniard, who has won three trophies during his time at the North London outfit, launched numerous crosses into the box but the majority were wayward.

The overriding feeling on social media is that Arsenal fans want Monreal to be sold this summer.

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