Arsenal's woeful record on Spanish soil continued on Thursday as the Gunners were eliminated from the Europa League at the hands of Atletico Madrid.
Tied 1-1 going into the semi-final second leg, Arsene Wenger's men needed either a victory or to draw having scored at least twice to advance.
But they came up against a formidable Atletico, who even with coach Diego Simeone banished to the bench shut out the visitors to make the final.
Diego Costa fired home in first half injury time for the only goal of a 1-0 victory, while Jan Oblak was unbeaten in the Atletico net.
Arsenal have now failed to win on their last seven visits to Spain in European competition, drawing twice and losing on five occasions.
The last time the Gunners prevailed was over a decade ago, when they downed Real Madrid 1-0 in February 2006 in a Champions League meeting.
6 - Arsenal are winless in their last six European visits to Spain (D2 L4), last winning there in February 2006 (1-0 against Real Madrid in the Champions League). Underdog. pic.twitter.com/8kclm2BeTf
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) 3 de mayo de 2018
2 - After progressing from their first six semi-final ties in European competition, Arsenal have now been eliminated in each of the last two (2008/09 v Manchester United in the Champions League and this year v Atlético Madrid). Fizzled. pic.twitter.com/cvg0QN5MDV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) 3 de mayo de 2018
Costa's goal, meanwhile, ensured that the former Chelsea striker's excellent record against the north Londoners continues.
4 - Diego Costa has scored four goals in seven appearances versus Arsenal in all competitions, including netting in each of his last two games against them. Thorn. pic.twitter.com/mbvaDPJ3pa
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) 3 de mayo de 2018
The striker, an unused substitute in the first leg, has now scored four in his seven games against the Gunners in all competitions.
