Atletico Madrid 1-0 Arsenal: 3 things the Gunners got wrong

There will be no European swansong for Arsene Wenger, who saw his side dumped out as Diego Costa struck to put Atletico Madrid into the Europa League final, against Marseille.

On a night where it was imperative for them to score, the Gunners scampered around like headless chickens despite having more of the possession. The defence, on the other hand, was woeful and conceded to the home side in similarly lubberly fashion.

Arsenal failed to deal with a lofted pass from Jan Oblak that Antoine Griezmann latched on to and sent a through ball to Costa, who easily beat Hector Bellerin before rifling into the back of the net.

The visitors then huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser, but the Rojiblancos held firm. A euphoric Diego Simeone burst into thunderous fist-pumps, as he'll now compete in a third European final in five years.

Here's what Arsenal got wrong.

#1 Too much possession, too little creativity

When a team is dominant on the ball, they have to create something out of it. Possession will mean nothing if otherwise. That's a lesson Arsenal were taught from the first-leg when they enjoyed 76% of the ball, yet salvaged only a draw. Away from home, when they boasted another 55% of the ball, it was clear they didn't learn anything from it.

The passes appeared laboured and bereft of any ingenuity. The visitors drove forward time and again in numbers, but lacked any sense of purpose. The statistics of having registered only one shot on target on the night is a testament to Arsenal's ineffectiveness going forward.

Even the likes of Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan appeared devoid of ideas. So keeping more possession ultimately proved futile.