Atletico Madrid Earn Spot in 2018 UEFA Europa League Final with Win vs. Arsenal

Atletico Madrid booked their place in the UEFA Europa League final as a 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday secured a 2-1 aggregate victory.

It was a tough night for the Gunners, who lost captain Laurent Koscielny to a torn Achilles in the opening 10 minutes.

The Gunners saw plenty of the ball but fell behind just before half-time as Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game after a great ball from Antoine Griezmann.

Arsenal pressed after the break but could not find a goal that would have taken the game into extra time, meaning there will be no fairytale ending to Arsene Wenger's final season in charge of the club.

Sad End to Koscielny's World Cup Hopes

It was a sad night for Koscielny, who lasted just seven minutes before collapsing on the ground and beating the turf in pain and frustration.

A stretcher was called, and after a lengthy stoppage for some treatment, the defender was carried off. Television presenter Jake Humphrey said Koscielny had suffered a torn Achilles:

Koscielny's reaction suggested he knew it was a bad injury, as did the sight of France team-mate Griezmann watching events with a glum look on his face.

The centre-back's hopes of playing in the FIFA 2018 World Cup are over, and the 32-year-old now faces a long road back to fitness.

Arsenal Still Can't Cope with Diego Costa

Arsenal will have been relieved that Costa was not fit enough to start the first leg, as the striker frequently bullied the Gunners defence during his time with Chelsea.

However, he was in from the start at the Wanda Metropolitano and quickly made his presence known. An early chance saw him beat Koscielny and easily shrug off Nacho Monreal before firing wide.

He was not the complete villain, as he was quick to help out the stricken Koscielny, which was shown by Football on BT Sport:

However, it was little surprise to see him open the scoring just before half-time. The ball in from Griezmann was brilliant, and he comfortably dealt with the attentions of Hector Bellerin before firing past David Ospina.

Goal showed Costa's record against Arsenal:

Arsenal will have known exactly what to expect from Costa but still could not stop him from knocking them out of the tournament.

Godin Is One of the World's Best

Atletico Madrid have the best defensive record in Spain and have still not conceded a goal at home since January.

It helps that they have a fantastic goalkeeper in Jan Oblak, who took the plaudits in the first leg, but Thursday, it was Diego Godin who was the outstanding player at the heart of the defence.

Spanish football journalist David Cartlidge showed why he's so important:

The Uruguayan seemed to be absolutely everywhere and made countless blocks to deny Arsenal. The contrast between the 32-year-old and the Arsenal defence was stark.

Timid Arsenal Get What They Deserve

Arsenal will wonder how they did not win the first leg, having played the majority of the game against 10 men after Sime Vrsaljko was sent off after 10 minutes.

The Gunners were wasteful in that game, and it was the same story in Madrid. Alexandre Lacazette wasted a good chance in the first half, while Aaron Ramsey could not quite get a shot away when well-placed in the second.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was missed, and when he did come on, he fired a superb shot just over the bar. Meanwhile, Danny Welbeck put in another underwhelming display and offered little.

Tyrone Marshall at the Lancashire Telegraph was critical of Arsenal's attacking display:

While Atletico are a tough team to play against, particularly at home, Arsenal only needed one goal to keep the game alive but just could not find a way to hurt the hosts.

Griezmann Shows Why He's a Wanted Man

Griezmann has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid for some time and has been talking to Barcelona recently, according to Quique Guasch on Catalunya Radio (h/t Sport).

The Frenchman showed again in the win over Arsenal just why Barcelona are interested in him. He was a threat all night, linked brilliantly with Costa and set up the only goal of the game.

He ought to have made the game safe when Costa returned the favour in the second half, but his shot was saved by Ospina.

He was also the team's cheerleader, urging the crowd to get behind the squad early in the first half when Arsenal were on top, as noted by Robbie Dunne at AS:

Barcelona may have done the domestic double this season, but they fell short in the UEFA Champions League and reinforcements will be needed if they are to challenge again.

Dismal End to Wenger's 22 Years at Arsenal 

Arsenal's progression to the semi-finals of the Europa League offered Wenger the chance to leave the club on a high by winning the tournament and securing Champions League football.

However, it simply wasn't to be, and instead the Gunners will finish the campaign empty-handed and outside the top four in the Premier League yet again.

They also now face another season without Champions League football, which may well affect their recruitment plans.

Sports writer Ben Fairthorne said Wenger has run out of ideas:

It's a sad way for Wenger's time at the club to end and simply highlights the fact that his departure is well overdue.

What's Next?

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday when Wenger welcomes Burnley to the Emirates Stadium for his final home game in charge of the Gunners. Atletico also play on Sunday, as they are at home to Espanyol in La Liga.