Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs FK Ostersunds: 5 things we learned – Peak Gunners

By Andrew Dowdeswell

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)
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) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal reacts 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 Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal reacts 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 Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

4. Europa League is still on… just

When asked about the performance, the game, and perhaps why he and his teammates were so complacent, possibly adjudged to have overlooked Ostersunds, Jack Wilshere was keen to get across one central point: Arsenal were in the next round. At the end of it all, that is all that matters.

That does not mean that conclusions should not be drawn, questions should not be asked, and criticisms should not be made, but it is the most important aspect of the result, performance, and whole two legs. And for a side that are toiling in their attempts to haul their way back into the top four in the Premier League, it is even more poignant.

And Arsene Wenger admitted the importance of this competition with the strength of the team he played. Many thought that he might rotate in several youngsters. He did not. As it turned out, it was a good job. A lesser experienced team may have crumbled to have an even greater extent. As it is, Arsenal are in Friday’s draw and the Europa League can still be won… just.