For the second consecutive game, Nigerian playmaker, Alex Iwobi, was a spectator as Arsenal’s European journey came to an end on Thursday.
On the occasion of his birthday, the 22-year-old watched on as an unused substitute as ex-Blues, Diego Costa, came back to haunt the side from North London.
The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid in their UEFA Europa League semifinal second leg match at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain.
Former Premier League striker, Costa, scored the only goal on the stroke of half time to seal the vital win for his side.
Iwobi also missed the first leg, after watching for the duration of the game, Antoine Griezmann netted a late second half goal as the Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.
The result means Iwobi and his teammates fail in their quest to give their departing manager, Arsene Wenger, a grand end to his time at the club.
A disappointed Wenger said after the game; ? “I’m like the team, very sad and very disappointed. I’m very frustrated as well. I’m very, very sad to leave the club with this exit.”
For Diego Simeone’s side, a solid defensive performance sees them book a record third Europa League final, a record they now share with fellow La Liga side, Sevilla.
In the other semifinal match, Ligue 1 outfit, Marseille needed extra time to also book their place in the final.
Marseille are through to their first major European final since 2004 despite a 2-1 defeat at Salzburg in their semifinal second leg.
Rolando was the hero, as his goal in extra time earned his side a place in the final thanks to a 3-2 aggregate win.
A disappointing end for Salzburg, who were bidding to become the first Austrian side to reach a major European final since Rapid Wien in 1996.
