Wenger out to right one last wrong before Arsenal exit

Last Friday Arsene Wenger announced that he will be ending his time as manager of Arsenal where the Frenchman won a total of 17 trophies in 22 years. Even though the success at Arsenal has gradually declined over the last few seasons credit has to be given to Wenger in keeping the Gunners competitive in the times of billionaire investors and booming financial revenues.

However, there remains one blemish on the Frenchman's managerial record: failing to win a European cup. The closest the Gunners came to winning a European title was back in 2006 when Barcelona came back from a goal down to beat the Londoners 2-1 in the Champions League.

In the years since then Champions League football has brought nothing but anguish for Wenger and his men and after dropping outside of the Champions League spots for the first time under Wenger, Arsenal have one last chance to give their long time mentor a proper send off by doing what they haven't done before under Wenger by winning the Europa League.

A task which on paper which would be easier said than done as Arsenal take on Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in  the competition's semi-final stage.

The Rojiblancos, are by all rights, very formidable opponents having already played in two Champions League finals and having been regulars in the competition's latter stages in recent seasons. Not to mention the cup pedigree Atleti have in Europe's secondtier competition having won it on two different occasions in the past.

Couple that with their industrious and organized approach to the game Atletico should present a stiff challenge for Wenger's Arsenal.

Atletico have became renowned for their defensive acumen and counter attacking football, which is the type of football that causes regular headaches for the Gunners with the defensive woes Arsenal have had in the past.

It also goes without mentioning, that Atletico also have some flash in their side married with their sturdiness in the form of Antoine Griezman and even more significantly for Arsenal Diego Costa.

Costa became public enemy number one at the Emirates after his stint in England with Chelsea and blooded the Gunners' on more than one occasion scoring three goals in six matches against Arsenal and was the main instigator of controversy against Arsenal on more than a few occasions. 

Despite initial thoughts that the Brazilian born forward would miss out on Thursday's first leg clash at the Emirates,  news broke that Costa made a good recovery over the last few days and could feature at the start or from the bench which could complicate things for Arsenal.