Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs BATE Borisov: 5 things we learned – Mesut Ozil returns

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team's first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team's first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal celebrate their team’s first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal celebrate their team’s first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

2. The Europa League matters

Unai Emery won the Europa League three times in three years with Sevilla — I am not sure anyone has mentioned it before. He knows the competition well and clearly values it. But on Thursday, his usually infectious, enthused antics down the touchline were that much intense, almost tinged with an element of relief.

Emery really wanted to win this game (I wonder if there was any pressure put on him by the board had he lost). And he also really wants to win the Europa League. That makes complete sense. The Europ League is a European trophy and a route into next season’s Champions League.

It is easy to overlook the lesser European trophy as needless and annoying. I don’t really enjoy Arsenal being in it. But winning it would still be a major honour for the club and the ideal chance to secure Champions League football, something that is a clear goal for Emery to achieve in his first season at the helm.