IT WAS supposed to be an opportunity to flex their muscles and demonstrate to their rivals — and themselves — that Arsenal can still mix it with the big boys. 

But, after the dismal 1-1 draw at home to Brighton last weekend, the Europa League now represents their only realistic hope of returning to the top table of European football next season.

The boos that echoed round Ashburton Grove at the final whistle last Sunday, albeit confined to pockets rather than large swathes, were born out of frustration that a far rosier conclusion to the league campaign was well within their grasp.

Fans will rue Unai Emery’s inaugural campaign as one littered with mistakes and missed opportunities. Of course, some stand out more than others — Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s stoppage-time penalty miss at Spurs, twice taking the lead at Old Trafford only to be pegged back each time and denied a first league win there in 13 years. 

Even on Sunday, you could point to the point-blank miss by the Gunners’ top-scorer which would surely have secured the win.

The fact of the matter is though that Emery has done a sterling job with the players at his fingertips. 

Arsenal have now conceded 50 goals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1984 — a glaring indictment that puts paid to any suggestion that Emery bears sole responsibility for the shortcomings.

It’s far from ideal preparation for their Europa League semi-final in Valencia tonight. Emery returns to the club he managed for four years looking to protect a 3-1 aggregate lead. Alexandre Lacazette’s first-half brace put Arsenal ahead after going a goal down before Aubameyang added a third late on to put his side in the driving seat.

Given their away form this season, and the fact they have conceded three goals in three of their last four league games, their trip to the Mestalla is a much tougher test than it may appear on paper.

The Spaniards find themselves in a similar position domestically to their visitors. An underwhelming season has left them scrapping desperately for a Champions League place. Unlike their opponents though, they come into this second leg on the back of a swashbuckling 6-2 win on Monday.

With two games to play, Los Ches have three points to make up on the team above them. Getafe sit three points above them in fourth but they have the unenviable task of travelling to Barcelona this weekend with slim hopes of getting anything from the game.

The Gunners will be boosted by the return of captain Laurent Koscielny who was rested for the Brighton game. The Frenchman has struggled at times this season but produced a near-faultless performance in the first leg and he will no doubt be called on again in Valencia.

Should Arsenal fail to lift a first European trophy in 25 years and re-join the continents premier European competition, they would face a third season playing in front of scarce crowds against far-flung teams. The heavily reduced revenues this equates to would be a huge blow to their ability to add to an already under-resourced squad.

With his Europa League pedigree, Emery has placed high expectations on his own shoulders. Anything other than a fourth Europa League title, for Emery, this season, and the weight of feeling from Arsenal fans could become unbearable.