As the Arsenal players boarded their plane back to London last week, they’d have felt the job was essentially done.
And after a 3-0 victory away from home in the Europa League, it would have been hard to blame them for feeling that way.
The Gunners put one foot in the Round of 16 with their demolition of Ostersund in Sweden last Thursday and gave Arsene Wenger the chance to rest several players ahead of this weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
Aiesh and Sema find the net in quick succession to give Ostersunds a two-goal lead on the night…#AFCvOST 🔵 0-2 ⚪️ (23)
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 22, 2018
Ahead of kick-off, supporters vented their frustration over the fact that Wenger hadn’t selected an entire second-string side as the likes of Hector Bellerin and Jack Wilshere were selected for the return leg.
But, by half-time, we bet most fans were wishing that there was a full strength team on the pitch as the hosts endured a nightmare 45 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.
Two goals in as many minutes for the unfancied Ostersund gave Arsenal quite the scare, with it all to play for in the second half.
What is going on at the Emirates?!
Östersunds are two up inside 25 minutes against Arsenal.
Ladies and Gentleman, we have a game on our hands!
📺 BT Sport 2 HD and 4K UHD pic.twitter.com/7Dp3R7sM9i
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2018
Hosam Aiesh got the first, when he stayed onside and beat David Ospina from close range.
An ambitious ball over the top gave Ken Sema quite a lot to do but he made no mistake as he held off Calum Chambers, created a yard of space and walloped the ball into the bottom corner.
To say that the atmosphere inside the stadium became tense would be an understatement and, as for those watching from home, the response was not kind.
Surely not @Arsenal but than again it @arsenal and we r gonna fuck this up too… #EuropaLeague
— Oh!!ToBeAGooner!!! (@iqbal1988) February 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/akidnamedrager/status/966772984475275264
What the FUCK arsenal?
— Cale (@OfficialCaleM) February 22, 2018
Fuck sake arsenal that’s pathetic
— Wheelie (@OfficialWheelie) February 22, 2018
Commentator: Arsenal fans can hardly believe it
Er yes we can. this is a standard Wenger uninspired cluster fuck of epic proportions and sadly a regular occurrence for us @arsenal fans
— Mark (@patthegooner) February 22, 2018
Wow. We're going to fuck this up, aren't we? #Arsenal
— Faiz (@Faiz_ArsenalFC) February 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/IseunLuese/status/966774231131475968
Arsenal can fuck off tbh, I don’t need this kind of negativity tonight
— David (@ogbe0) February 22, 2018
Thought Arsenal's Europa League tie was dead. Just turned over and they're 0-2 down at home. What the actual fuck?
— James MacDonald (@JimMacDonaldMMA) February 22, 2018
