Europa League represents a LAST CHANCE for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to save their season

Last night, when Benfica’s Rafa Silva used Dani Ceballos’ second important mistake of the evening to round off and score Bernd Leno, Arsenal’s season hangs in the balance.

Suddenly there was a tie on which they were definitely in control until the last minutes of the first half, inflated in their face. Now, with half an hour left, they needed two goals to save their season.

Spare a thought for Mikel Arteta, who watched from the sidelines, must have feared the inevitable onslaught that would follow the elimination of last 32 in the Europa League. Job on the line? Progress this season would have looked really bleak.

Out of both domestic cups, it was 11th in the Premier League – Europe’s secondary competition was a last chance for the Gunners this season. And we are only in February.

Luckily for the Spaniard, his most reliable senior players acted as needed, on neutral ground in Athens. A lifeline for the Arsenal boss.

First, Kieran Tierney – an apparent in an otherwise largely forgettable six months – drilled an equalizer before star teenager Bukayo Saka laid a free header on a plate for captain-saver Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, around the Gunners’ blush to save by three. minutes left on the clock.

The full-time celebrations told you everything you need to know. The relief was palpable among the entire group living to get another day off in the final 16 game.

Arteta, however, will be the most enlightened of all.

It was only two months ago that his team, confident after a miserable start to the season, turned the wheels again and put on a series of decent performances.

Before that, it was Arsenal’s worst start to a top flight season in 46 years. Difficult to gauge, but there is even talk of relegation.

Meanwhile, Aubameyang, who was so clinical and effective in the Gunners’ FA Cup triumph at the end of last season, could not hit a barn door, let alone the back of the net.

But now the Gabonese have got their final round, as evidenced by their two goals on Thursday.

“The last few days after the game in Rome against them, where he missed three or four chances and usually it’s three goals for him,” Arteta said afterwards.

“He had to react and it was great to see him react upset and try to be better – and not just feel sad for yourself right now.

‘This is the beautiful thing about football. If you keep going, you always have the chance to fix it. ‘

As for Saka, he again showed no signs of his appearance.

He set up both of Aubameyang’s goals, the first with a perfectly weighed ball and the second a beaten cross to the back post. He also scored the crucial away goal in Rome last week.

Is Arsenal too dependent on the 19 – year – old’s creativity? Can be. But as he continues to act, they stand a chance.

Even former Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas has declared himself a ‘game changer’.

Champions League football next season is still a serious possibility. A long way to go, but the trail remains open.

In a way, it’s similar to the scenario Unai Emery faced two years ago. Back in 2018-’19, his entire season finally depended on the Europa League final against Chelsea, to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.

They were humiliated 4-1 in Baku. Six months later, Emery was gone. Will this Spaniard go the same way?

Ironically, it is a well-known opponent in the last-16. After Friday’s draw, Arsenal will return to Athens to face Olympiacos, who knocked them out of the competition last season in a memorable match for Aubameyang’s sincere miss.

No such chances can afford to be wasted this time. A deep run in Europe – ending with glory on May 22 in Gdańsk – is the only prize that can save Arsenal’s season.