There was enough apprehension for Arsenal given the implications this tie had for their present and future.
That the returning Unai Emery could deliver the fatal blow only increased it.
Arsenal's underwhelming, inconsistent campaign has left some, with the benefit of hindsight, wondering if Emery can consider himself a little unlucky the way things panned out at the Emirates and questioning the managerial change.
Arsenal were eighth when Emery was dismissed in November 2019 but have found themselves floundering even lower recently under Mikel Arteta. This woefully limp exit, when Arsenal performed as if they did not realise exactly what was on the line, will do nothing to silence Arteta's critics.