Arsenal's defeat in the Europa League semi-final could be costly in more ways than one.
Failure to score, let alone beat Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night means the Gunners have managed to throw away their one and only chance of sealing a return to the Champions League after a long absence.
In fact, it will be five seasons since Arsenal were last in Europe's elite club competition.
But the Champions League is very much the least of Mikel Arteta's concerns right now as it's looking like there will be no European football for the north London outfit next season.
This could be the first time such a feat has happened in more than 20 years as Gunners' proud record of being in Europe in every season since 1995/96 is in serious danger and Arteta is aware of the consequences.
"Well, I think it gives you the platform, visually first, as you mentioned, and then because it’s related to our history and the demands that this club has got," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
"Then because obviously financially the way to attract sponsors, to attract players, to improve your squad and to compete for the big trophies you have to be in Europe.
"That’s the challenge we’ve got ahead of us."
Despite not meeting that challenge, Arteta has been handed a lifeline that could save Arsenal's season and continue their impressive record in European competition.
Before a ball was kicked this season UEFA's newest tournament was announced and the Europa Conference League (UECL) will launch at the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign.
And qualification for it was simple as the winners of the League Cup would have a spot in the UECL.
However, as Man City emerged victorious in the final against Tottenham Hotspur last month, it means the UECL place drops to the next eligible team in the Premier League.
Furthermore, as long as the FA Cup AND League Cup winners finish in the top five of the Premier League table, the UECL place will go to the team that finishes seventh.
Man City have already done their part by winning the latter and the FA Cup final will be contested by Chelsea and Leicester City - two teams who are on course to finish in the top-four which means the fifth and sixth-placed team will qualify for the Europa League.
So the reward for finishing seventh is a spot in the Europa Conference League.
With that said, the one problem for Arsenal is that they not in control of their own destiny.
Currently, four points off seventh-placed Liverpool having played a game more, the Gunners will need to win their remaining four games of the season and hope those above them lose form.
