Arsenal fans were left in hysterics at the expense of rivals Spurs following the Lilywhites’ humiliating Europa League exit at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb.
Despite leading 2-0 from the first leg, Spurs suffered a disastrous trip to the Croatian capital, going down 3-0 and crashing out of the competition 3-2 on aggregate after extra time.
The Gunners were themselves having difficulties in their last 16 tie but managed to progress despite a 1-0 home defeat to Olympiacos.
After edging through 3-2 courtesy of a 3-1 win in Grece a week earlier, Mikel Arteta was conducting his post-match press conference while Tottenham were still in action.
Unbeknownst to the Arsenal boss, Zagreb star Mislav Orsic had just fired in his decisive hat-trick goal to send Spurs out.
After being told by a reporter what had happened, Arteta was left stunned and almost speechless.
“Does it actually matter how you won tonight because Spurs have just lost,” the journalist informed the Arsenal manager.
A shocked Arteta visibly bit his lip to contain his shock although Gunners fans have speculated that he was actually suppressing laughter at the news.
Arteta quickly managed to regain his composure and answer the question about his side.
“Well it does matter because it is not about the result but the performance and the direction that we want to take, as well as the confidence and the level of consistency that we have to show after a good performance to do it again”
Arsenal have been drawn against Slavia Prague in the quarter final after the Czech side eliminated Rangers.
Should they progress, the Gunners could face the prospect of a reunion with former boss Unai Emery and his Villarreal side in the semis, or Tottenham’s conquerors Zagreb.
