The Europa League represents the LAST OPPORTUNITY for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to save the season

Last night, when Rafa Silva’s Rafa Silva took advantage of Dani Ceballos ’second significant error of the night to round out Bernd Leno and score, Arsenal’s season was hanging by a thread.

Suddenly, the draws that they controlled firmly until the last minutes of the first half exploded in their face. Now, with half an hour to go, they needed two goals to save the season.

Put aside a thought for Mikel Arteta, who looking from the sidelines must have feared the inevitable onslaught that would have followed the elimination of the last 32 in the Europa League. Work on the line? The progress this season would have seemed bleak.

Of the two national cups, the 11th in the Premier League: the European secondary competition represented a last chance for the Gunners this season. And we are only in February.

Fortunately for the Spaniard, his most reliable senior players increased when they needed him most, in neutral Athens territory. A lifeline for the head of Arsenal.

First Kieran Tierney, a bright light in six forgotten months, punched a marker at home before teen star Bukayo Saka put a free header on a plate for saving captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to save the Gunners’ blushes with three minutes remaining on the clock.

The full-time celebrations told you everything you need to know. The relief was palpable among the entire squad, who live to fight another day in the last 16 that will begin next month.

Arteta will be the most relieved of all.

Just two months ago his team, with little confidence after an unfortunate start to the season, spun the wheels and did a series of worthy demonstrations.

Before that, it was Arsenal’s worst start to a top-tier season in 46 years. Hard to understand, but he even started to come to the surface talking about descent.

Meanwhile, Aubameyang, who was so clinical and effective in the Gunners ’FA Cup win late last season, was unable to knock on a barn door let alone at the back of the net.

But now the Gabonese has regained his finishing touch, as evidenced by his two goals on Thursday.

“The last few days after the match in Rome against them, where he lost three or four chances and it’s usually three goals for him,” Arteta said afterwards.

“You had to react and it was great to see how your way of reacting was annoying and trying to be better, and not just feeling sad about yourself right now.

“This is the most beautiful thing in football, if you keep going, you always have a chance to get it right.”

As for Saka, he has again shown no signs of falling out of his form.

He set up two goals from Aubameyang, the first with a perfectly weighted ball and the second with a cross on the back post. Last week he also scored the crucial away goal in Rome.

Does Arsenal rely too much on the creativity of the 19-year-old? May be. But as long as he continues to act, they have the opportunity.

Even former Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas announced a “change of game”.

Now, next season’s Champions League football is still a fervent possibility. There is a long way to go, but the route is still open.

In a way, it’s similar to the scenario Unai Emery faced two years ago. In 2018-19, his entire season ended with the final of the Europa League final against Chelsea, to qualify for the first club competition in Europe.

They were humiliated 4-1 in Baku. Six months later, Emery was gone. Will this Spaniard go the same way?

Ironically, he will be a family opponent in the round of 16. After Friday’s draw, Arsenal will return to Athens to face Olympiacos, who withdrew them from the competition last season in a memorable match for Aubameyang’s striking failure.

This opportunity cannot afford to miss these possibilities. A deep career in Europe, which will end in glory on May 22 in Gdansk, is the only prize that can save the Arsenal season.