Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid – UEFA Europa League – Preview

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Sreya

Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid – Arsenal hosts Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on 26th April, Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-finals, in what could be Arsene Wenger’s final European game at the Emirates.

Arsenal will be finishing outside ‘top four’ in the English Premier League and winning the UEFA Europa League is their only way of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Atletico Madrid have all but qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League as they are expected to finish in the second position in the Spanish top division, but winning the UEFA Europa League will allow Diego Simeone’s side to grab a silverware.

Team News

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ineligible while Mohamed Elneny, Santi Cazorla, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Petr Cech are injured. Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil will face late fitness tests.

The visitors will be without the injured Felipe Luis and Juanfran. Diego Costa, who has missed last three matches, is a doubt.

Arsenal Possible Starting Lineup: David Ospina, Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette.

Atletico Madrid Possible Starting Lineup: Jan Oblak, Sime Vrsjalko, Stefan Savic, Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez, Angel Correa, Thomas Partey, Saul Niguez, Koke, Antoine Griezmann, Diego Costa.

“I would say one of their strengths is that they have no obvious weakness. they are a very efficient team and a team who can use every weak moment of their opponent.”

– Arsene Wenger, Arsenal.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid H2H Stats, the only previous meeting between these two clubs came in a club friendly which Arsenal won. Arsenal have scored at least twice in six of their previous seven UEFA Europa League games, while Atletico Madrid are renowned for their defence.

It will be a closely contested affair with a 1-1 draw being the most probable outcome.