Arsenal v Atletico Madrid – story of the match

Posted Friday, April 27, 2018 by PA

If Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal finale is to be a Europa League final in Lyon his side will have to do it the hard way after surrendering a well-deserved lead to draw against 10-man Atletico Madrid in the first-leg of their semi-final.

Even taking into account their 80-minute numerical advantage, this was one of Arsenal’s best team displays of the campaign as a loud Emirates Stadium crowd saw Alexandre Lacazette head them in front following a largely-dominant hour of the tie.

It ends level at the Emirates…
Reaching the final is going to be tough – but we CAN do it! Let''s stick together and do the job in Madrid 👊 pic.twitter.com/U6SRdb7Ozu
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 26, 2018

But, as with many of Arsenal’s recent campaigns, there was to be a late sting in the tail as defensive deficiencies were laid bare for all to see as Antoine Griezmann sealed a 1-1 draw with a late equaliser.

Before Lacazette’s opener, Madrid were holding out for a goalless draw to take back to the Spanish capital for next Thursday’s second-leg as Sime Vrsaljko was sent off early on, followed swiftly by their manager Diego Simeone.

Tweet of the match

It’s a straight red and Simeone is sent to the stands for not having any product on his hair. Totally understandable in the circumstances. pic.twitter.com/SXZ6wWckoU
— David Preece (@davidpreece12) April 26, 2018

Star man – Jack Wilshere

Arsenal v Atletico Madrid – story of the match — Jack Wilshere shone in Arsenal’s midfield (Nick Potts/PA)

A calming presence with classy touches in a cluttered midfield. Could Jack be the man to take his old buddy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s seat on the plane to Russia for the World Cup this summer?

Moment of the match

NO! Out of nowhere, @Atleti are level as Griezmann pokes home from close range at the second attempt#AFCvATL 1-1 (82)
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 26, 2018

Arsenal were on course for victory when Griezmann chased down a long ball over the top. Laurent Koscielny’s attempted clearance hit the striker in the face and then Shkodran Mustafi slipped on the goal-line as he attempted to block. All very messy and potentially very costly.

Crowd watch

The atmosphere at the Emirates was better than it has been for a long time. It was cranked up after Vrsaljko saw red, and up another notch when Simeone was sent to the stands. Again, not much acknowledgement of the soon-to-be departing manager, though.

Data point

THE BOSS#MerciArsène pic.twitter.com/rTzjGYf9xs
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 26, 2018

Arsenal are playing in their eighth European semi-final and have progressed from six of the previous seven. So there is still hope. Tottenham should take note, too.

Ratings

9 – Sime Vrsaljko has received both the fastest yellow card (1:15) and second yellow card (9:09) in the Europa League this season. Bath. pic.twitter.com/1GeBSL0NW2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2018

Arsenal: Ospina 7, Bellerin 7, Mustafi 6, Koscielny 5, Monreal 6, Xhaka 7, Ramsey 6, Wilshere 8, Ozil 6, Welbeck 5, Lacazette 7.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 8, Vrsaljko 2, Gimenez 6, Godin 6, Lucas 4, Correa 6, Thomas 6, Saul 6, Koke 6, Griezmann 7, Gameiro 5. Subs: Gabi (for Gameiro, 65) 5, Savic (for Correa, 75) 5, Torres (for Griezmann, 85) 5.