This piece is part of a larger work on the Unai Emery Era – Keep a watchful eye on Gunners Town for the entire upcoming project.
Azerbaijan. The Land of Fire.
Inside the Baku Olympic Stadium, one final match would make or break Arsenal’s season. Heralded as King of the Europa League, Unai Emery had guided Arsenal to their first European final in thirteen years.
Yet, Arsenal had failed to reach their primary target in the Premier League. They had narrowly missed out on a place in European football’s elite competition, by one single point.
Another pathway into the Champions League still existed, the Europa League’s reward of instant Champions League qualification to it’s victor. Unai Emery could carve a legacy at Arsenal for himself, with success in the final.
Much needed European silverware, the joy of a trophy lift, the financial benefits of Champions League football and glory awaited Arsenal. Plans for a parade and celebration in North London had been laid two months prior to the momentous occasion.
The outcome of the 2019 UEFA Europa League Final would decide Arsenal’s season.
Far away from London, old rivals Chelsea squared off with Arsenal. In a tense tactical battle, the first half was a quiet affair. Emery’s side had been marginally better, but had wasted the few half-chances they created in a half of nearly moments.
Arsenal were made to pay in the second half.
Within a matter of moments, Giroud had put Chelsea ahead. Heads instantly dropped, as Arsenal feebly surrendered once the first goal went in. The devastation was far from over…
Worryingly the Basque manager prepared two substitutions as his side conceded a second goal on the hour mark. Before his introductions could come on, Chelsea were awarded a penalty five minutes after their second goal.
Eden Hazard netted his side’s third, the contest all but over.
Three goals down, Arsenal were thrown a lifeline by one of Emery’s changes. Alex Iwobi scored with an incredible strike from outside the box, but an impossible comeback could not be sustained. Three minutes later, Chelsea scored their fourth goal to strip Arsenal of any hope which remained.
Dejected, a glum look crossed Emery’s face as he stared at the ground. Fingers touched his forehead in a gesture of miserable defeat.
A disastrous second half to a game which in the build-up, was labelled by some as Arsenal’s biggest and most important game of the decade.
Twenty painful minutes played out, as a frustrated Mesut Özil swore, “You are not a coach.” Taken off on the seventy-seventh minute mark, Özil’s accusations signalled Emery’s eventual undoing.
The loss in the final became a turning point as players and fans seemed to lose faith and hope in Emery’s reign immediately afterwards.
Once as Valencia manager, Emery had said, “What I want most,” following an embarrassing 6-3 home defeat against Real Madrid, “is to hide and disappear for three days, for nobody to see me, for them to forget me.”
As he picked up his runners up medal, Emery must have wished the ground would swallow him whole. Both opportunities to qualify for the Champions League, through a European Final and a spot in the Premier League’s top four were squandered.
To conclude his first season, in the shadow of the final’s aftermath, Emery held a meeting with each player. Back in London, every player as reported by The Guardian, attended except Mesut Özil. A nightmarish night in Baku tarnished Emery’s first season in charge. Now, his second season began.
I am a young writer, focused on producing high quality content. With a love for both journalism and writing, I have a growth mindset, where I strive for continuous improvement. I am also an: Occasional freelancer. Unai Emery Enthusiast. A person of many plans.
Also interested in the psyche, mentality and mental health of players – their motivation, the harmful effects of social media, and how the football world affects them.
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