Thursday 3 May 2018 23:22, UK
Arsenal's world-class players - like Mesut Ozil - have failed to show up for Arsene Wenger when it mattered most, says Steve Sidwell.
Arsenal fashioned a number of openings but the final pass was too often lacking as they were unable to breach Atletico's defence.
The result means Arsenal go into their first season without Wenger having finished outside the top four and with no Champions League football. Sidwell - a guest on The Debate - thinks Wenger has been let down over the past few seasons by some member of his squad in the big games.
"Of late, their big players haven't turned up on big occasions when they should do," Sidwell said on The Debate.
"We're talking world-class players here like Ozil, who can unlock defences at ease. They've not come to the fore.
"On the whole, it seems to have whimpered down and the players have let him down.
"He deserves more - he's Arsenal greatest."
Attention now turns to Sunday, where Wenger will manage his final home game in charge of Arsenal against Burnley.
Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson - also speaking on The Debate - hopes the club's lacklustre finish to the season does not taint his send-off.
"There's never been someone more to deserve that send-off," Upson said.
"He's had such an input into the stadium, the structure, the foundation, the training ground - it was revolutionary. The past few seasons has come close to endangering and tainting what he achieved. The timing of his exit is a shame.
"I'm sure everyone will go and give him the proper send-off he deserves."
