Marcelo Flores embarked on a surprising journey last season when he departed the Emirates to seek valuable first-team experience in the Spanish second division, joining Real Oviedo on loan.
Four teams went into the final day still with the chance of clinching the two automatic promotion places, with two of those - second-placed Las Palmas and third-placed Alaves - facing each other to add to the drama.
In a few weeks' time, Spanish soccer giants Barcelona will embark on a summer tour of the USA, playing in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators as they take part in money-spinning games around the country. Almost 90 years ago, with an Irish man at the helm, Barcelona embarked on a more important tour of the US.