Arsenal did not build on the momentum of their last two performances when they played host to Fulham on Sunday afternoon, just three days after securing their place in the season's Europa League.
It did not end there as they went on to lose to Everton at the Emirates Stadium tonight in what should have been an easy ride for them.
To the side that humiliated Slavia Prague in the return leg of the Europa last-8 tie, Mikel Arteta effected five changes. One of the inclusions was Mat Ryan who got handed his first Premier League start at the Emirates. Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel also earned starts.
Bellerin wore the armband in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese was still ill at the time. Odegaard, Luiz and Tierney could not partake due to varying injury issues.
Our bright start put us in good position with Martinelli troubling Areola a number of times. Dani Ceballos seemed to have put us ahead with his header from Bellerin's cross but what we thought would be his first Premier League goal ended up being rightly ruled out by VAR.
Maja converted from the spot to set us trembling when Gabriel's foul gave Fulham a penalty. We were later able to get an equaliser very late in the encounter and it was Eddie Nketiah that did the trick.
Just shortly after this result came a news that saddened the entire fanbase - the joining of the European Super League by Arsenal. They did this with five other English sides and some other six from other European leagues.
According to the pioneers, they needed to break off the grip of the powers-that-be and go secure the bag. What followed was expected. Supporters bashed the club hierarchy for making such a selfish move and worried more because they didn't consult them in any way.
Days later, Arsenal withdrew and issued an apology that still was not accepted by all. To the fans, the trust is no longer there.
We carried on into our next match tonight where we lost to Everton on our own ground, courtesy an own goal from Bernd Leno. Bitter experience and now are sights are set to the next one with Villarreal in the first leg of the Europa League semis. It's a reunion with Unai Emery.
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