Costa Denies Arsene Wenger A Perfect Farewell
Written by MaxFM on May 4, 2018
Arsene Wenger was denied the opportunity of a perfect Arsenal farewell as Atletico Madrid won 1-0 to secure a 2-1 aggregate triumph and a spot in the Europa League final.
Wenger confirmed in April that his 22-year association with the club will conclude at the end of the season and the players’ bid to see him sign off with a first European trophy ultimately came up short against Diego Simeone’s characteristically shrewd Atletico, for whom Diego Costa netted the decisive goal.
Arsenal’s luck appeared to be out early on as they lost captain Laurent Koscielny to injury, with the France international now a potential doubt for the World Cup as a result.
4 – Diego Costa has scored four goals in seven appearances versus Arsenal in all competitions, including netting in each of his last two games against them. Thorn. pic.twitter.com/mbvaDPJ3pa
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 2018
While Atletico continued to craft chances in the second half, there was a hint of tension in the stands – from where the banned Simeone watched on – that was transferred to the players and gave Arsenal encouragement.
But the visitors, still facing a battle just to claim a top-six spot in the Premier League, were simply incapable of breaking through Atletico’s exceptionally well-drilled defence as the home side dug deep to hold off Arsenal’s late onslaught, booking passage to the final in Lyon on May 16.
Watch highlights below…
