A lapse in defending proved costly for Arsenal as the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against 10-man Atletico Madrid ended 1-1 at Emirates Stadium.
As a standalone result a draw isn't all that bad, especially against such a top quality side, but in the context of the game, where we had an extra man for the majority of it, we really should have made our chances count more.
For large spells we actually defended well and took the game to our Spanish opponents. The defensive lapse was admittedly only brief, but it was enough to have a significant impact on the tie and one we could be likely to regret.
Sime Vrsaljko's night got off to a bad start when he was booked for a late challenge on Jack Wilshere after just two minutes and it was about to get even worse.
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette wasted two decent chances - first seeing a volley shave the outside of a post before being denied by an excellent save from visitors' goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who palmed his next effort away from danger.
The game was barely 10 minutes old when Vrsaljko was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. The Croatian right-back mistimed a tackle on Lacazette and landed on the striker's ankle, leaving Atletico Madrid down to 10 men.
It got worse for the visitors soon after as the referee sent Madrid manager Diego Simeone to the stands.
Arsenal started to dominate and really take the game to their opponents as they tried to make the most of having the extra man, but the chances continued to come and go for the Gunners.
Lacazette headed over the bar from Nacho Monreal's cross before Wilshere's effort was comfortably saved by Oblak soon after.
Arsenal wasted a further three chances to grab a goal in the first half. More great link up play between Wilshere and Danny Welbeck ended with the latter's shot being well saved by the legs of Oblak.
Laurent Koscielny evaded his marker at a corner and very nearly sliced a close range shot in before Monreal saw his volleyed effort sail just wide.
Arsenal were completely outplaying their opponents, but their dominance was very nearly undone after 37 minutes. Thomas Partey ran through the middle before the ball broke for Antoine Griezmann, but David Ospina produced a fine reaction save.
The visitors tried their luck again just before half-time, but Angel Correra's effort went just over the crossbar.
The Gunners started the second half brightly with Aaron Ramsey's through ball setting up Welbeck, whose shot was at too tight an angle to cause much trouble.
The Welsh midfielder then saw a shot saved by Oblak before Arsenal opened the scoring shortly after the hour mark. Monreal did well to wrestle back possession before slipping the ball into Wilshere, who crossed for Lacazette to head home.
The France international wasted the chance to double his tally after 69 minutes as he headed just over the crossbar from Mesut Ozil's corner.
That miss proved costly as the visitors hit back to level eight minutes from time. A long ball over the top put Griezmann one-on-one with Ospina before Koscielny flicked the ball up into his face, which then hit the Madrid striker. Griezmann was then able to gather the ball before seeing a shot blocked by Ospina before he latched onto the rebound, taking it past the goalkeeper and lofting it into the net after Shkodran Mustafi slipped.
Arsenal refused to give up and very nearly snatched victory at the death, but Oblak produced a fine save at full stretch to tip Ramsey's header away as the match ended all square.
SECOND LEG
Given how we dominated large spells of the match and had an extra man the result is rather disappointing, but the tie is still all to play for.
Some fans wouldn't have expected us to even still be in the tie at the halfway stage. Yes, the defensive lapse is annoying and yes, Atletico Madrid are firmly in the driving seat, but we are not out of it yet.
Considering Atletico currently have one of the best defensive records in Europe and rarely concede at home we will have our work cut out, so we will have to make sure we are clinical with the chances we do get.
The fact remains we absolutely have to score so we need to take the game to them right from the off, whilst also keeping things solid at the back.
I can see us nicking a goal, but our defence still worries me and it will have to be on top form for us to stand a chance.
The challenge for us to reach the final has just got harder, but let's not give up hope just yet!
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Before we can even begin to think about the second leg we have the matter of a huge Premier League game - the trip to Old Trafford.
Okay, we don't have much to play for in the league, but this is always a fixture in the calendar we want to win above several others.
Our away form is very poor at the moment and Arsene Wenger doesn't have the best of luck in battles against Jose Mourinho, but this is his last chance to get one over on him in the Premier League.
With arguably one of the world's best goalkeepers between the sticks in David De Gea we could have our work cut out, but we need to make sure we somehow produce the performance of the highest quality.
If anything can fire us up for the second leg more it would be a win at Manchester United, but whether we can do that remains to be seen.
Finally I'd just like to say how great it was to see Santi Cazorla training at the Emirates before our first leg match against Atletico Madrid. It will be great to get him back on the pitch, which is likely to be next season providing we keep him on. I for one can't wait as he has been a player we have most certainly missed this season!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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