Arsenal Vs FK Ostersunds: 5 things we learned

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Fans of Ostersunds FK cheer during UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal and Ostersunds FK at the Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal hosted FK Ostersunds in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday night. Here are five things we learned from the 2-1 loss.

Arsenal were pathetic in Thursday night’s 2-1 loss to FK Ostersunds. That is the best way that I can describe them. It wasn’t the usual Arsenal performance in which one aspect of the team looks good while being undermined by another. This was a downright disastrous display, and they are lucky to be in the last-16 draw on Friday lunchtime.

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So, here are five things we learned. They are not all that nice.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Graham Potter, head coach of Ostersunds FK claps the fans after UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal and Ostersunds FK at the Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

5. It shouldn’t have been that hard

I’ll be honest, before Arsenal drew them in the first knockout round of this year’s Europa League, I had never heard of FK Ostersunds. And, I believe, most sincere people would admit the same thing. The Swedes are not exactly a footballing powerhouse. They were founded after Arsene Wenger took over as manager in North London.

And the respective qualities of these two teams were stark. While Ostersunds play attractive, neat football and had done well to qualify from the group stages of the competition, they were playing players who were far below the usual level that Wenger could turn to. Some of Graham Potter’s most trusted members were non-league rejects. Hardly a glowing pedigree.

Yet, within the space of 69 seconds, Arsenal conceded two goals, were rocking on the ropes, and were close to throwing away what looked like an unassailable three-goal advantage from the first leg. It wasn’t meant to be this hard, was it?