Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague: 5 talking points as Gunners throw away victory in injury time | UEFA Europa League 2020-21

#3 Mikel Arteta's flaws come to haunt Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came on in the 76th minute

Mikel Arteta seems to have inherited Pep Guardiola's penchant for naming baffling lineups in crucial European ties. While there was merit in dropping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli would have thrived in the space left behind the Slavia defence.

This proved to be true once Arteta made his late substitutions once more. It was clear from the off that Slavia Prague were there for the taking with the right personnel. However, Arteta's stubborn streak resulted in his substitutes having under 15 minutes to affect the game.

Arteta reinforces that part of the plan in the side was to use the particular subs he did off the bench. On making the changes when he did he adds: "We made them when we believed it was the right time to do it."

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) April 8, 2021

Pepe, Aubameyang and Martinelli were a far greater threat than Saka, Lacazette and Willian, and it resulted in a great goal for Arsenal. If they had 30 minutes instead of 15, the tie would have been over.

It seems unlikely that Arteta may change his ways though, so expect the same in the second leg.

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#4 Nicolas Pepe shines in Europe once more

Nicolas Pepe produced a finish worthy of being a match-winner

It's no secret that Nicolas Pepe has looked far more comfortable in the UEFA Europa League than the Premier League for Arsenal. The Ivorian's first goals for the club came in the competition, where he's provided or scored the winner multiple times.

It nearly proved to be the case once again, with Pepe scoring a delightful goal to give Arsenal the lead. It was a move that played to his strengths - the pace to run behind the defence and the skill to dink the ball over the keeper.

Nicolas Pépé in the #UEL for Arsenal this season: ◉ Most goals (4) ◉= Most assists (3) Making an impact off the bench tonight. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/kxD3E2vBon

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 8, 2021

What ought to have been the winner was undone by his teammates, but Pepe can walk away from his 15-minute cameo with his head held high. Perhaps his manager can give Arsenal's record signing more minutes in the second leg.

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#5 Arsenal's season hangs by a thread

Mikel Arteta faces his toughest task as Arsenal manager in the second leg

Tomas Holes' injury-time goal could very well be the spark that ends Mikel Arteta's time at Arsenal. The Gunners boss has asked for patience multiple times and, having won two trophies in his time at the club, has been afforded it.

Arsenal's position in the league is not in keeping with their stature as a club, nor the quality in their squad. Fourth place would need a miracle, with the Gunners even staring at missing out on the UEFA Europa League spots.

This competition is all that's left for Arteta to hang his hat on, and an exit to Slavia Prague would surely signal a death knell for his prospects. There's only so much 'trust the process' that the Arsenal fans can take.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 Europa League games away from home - winning eight.

— Orbinho (@Orbinho) April 8, 2021

The second leg is not just season-defining for Arsenal, but it may be career-defining for Mikel Arteta.