Good evening and welcome along to our live coverage of tonight’s Europa League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid from the Emirates Stadium.
Twenty-two years in charge, and Arsene Wenger’s extraordinary reign comes down to the next 180 minutes of knock-out football. A place in the final is on the line, but there is much more than major European success at stake.
A huge night ahead in north London, so stick with us as we bring you all the action.
TEAM NEWS: Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere return to Arsenal’s starting XI but Wenger has stuck with David Ospina in goal, with Petr Cech named on the bench.
Here it is - our team for #AFCvATL pic.twitter.com/ok796dnSGH
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 26, 2018
TEAM NEWS: As for the visitors, the big news is that Diego Costa starts on the bench alongside Fernando Torres. Diego Simeone has named a strong side, though, with Griezmann leading the line.
🏧👥 | STARTING LINE-UP
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 26, 2018
Check out who’s going to start in tonight’s @EuropaLeague semi-final against @Arsenal!🔥#ArsenalAtleti #AúpaAtleti #UEL pic.twitter.com/eH2onqX7YS
Tonight’s other semi-final tie sees Marseille and Red Bull Salzburg go head-to-head at the Stade Vélodrome. We’ll keep you updated with developments from that one throughout the evening, too.
Defender or attack? The studio discuss how they think Arsenal should play against Atletico... 🤔@martinkeown5: "You've got to go for it."@jjenas8: "I think they'd be daft to attack."@RobbieSavage8: "I think Arsenal would take a 0-0 tonight." pic.twitter.com/IRhVDN1iSx
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2018
Arsene Wenger has been speaking to BT Sport pre-match, as he prepares for his final European home game in charge:
“For me personally, very busy. But I try to keep the priorities right. I live for competition and comp is winning games. Just to focus on your job and try to do as well as you can as long as you’re here. The fans will be behind the team, I don’t worry about that. Overall our home season has been very strong. If you look at our results at home, they’ve been outstanding. So let’s just continue that in Europe as well.”
Arsenal are appearing in their eighth European semi-final — they have progressed from six of the previous seven, only failing to reach the final in 2008-09 in the Champions League when they lost to Man United.
Which way do you see tonight going?
Poll Results:
125 - Arsene Wenger will face his 125th different opponent as Arsenal boss in this match – he has only lost his first game against 10 of the previous 124. Pedigree. pic.twitter.com/EWeqs76S7V
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2018
Just under 10 minutes until kick off at the Emirates, so let’s take a final check on tonight’s teams.
Arsenal: Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Xhaka, Wilshere; Welbeck, Özil; Lacazette.
Subs: Cech, Holding, Iwobi, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac, Nketiah.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Lucas; Correa, Saúl Niguez, Partey, Koke; Gameiro, Griezmann.
Subs: Werner, Torres, Gabi, Savic, Diego Costa, Vitolo, Olabe.
Full house at the Emirates and the atmosphere is really building.
KICK OFF: We’re underway at the Emirates.
2 mins – We have our first yellow card of the evening after just 75 seconds. Sime Vrsaljko snaps away at Wilshere’s ankles after the Arsenal midfielder found space and he goes into the book.
4 mins – Arsenal have started well and are looking to put Atletico under some early pressure, as Hector Bellerin whips in a dangerous cross from the right.
5 mins – Atletico haven’t had a touch in the opening exchanges with the Arsenal midfield forcing the early tempo. Cracking atmosphere inside the Emirates.
7 mins — Chance! Arsenal are piling forward and after finding acres of space down the left, Welbeck picks out the unmarked Lacazette, who volleys inches wide with Oblak rooted to the spot.
8 mins — Another sight of goal for Lacazette, who this time forces Oblak into a fine save after Monreal’s pinpoint delivery from the left and then moments later, Welbeck tries his luck from range but fails to get any power behind his effort.
10 mins — RED! Atletico are down to 10 men as Vrsaljko is shown a second yellow by the French referee for catching Lacazette on the ankle with his studs up. It was late and rash and he probably deserved to go. Simeone doesn’t agree and he’s going absolutely furious on the touchline.
12 mins – And now the Atletico manager has been sent to the stands! His side have made a shocking start and Simeone has lost the plot on the touchline. It’s all kicking off at the Emirates and we’re only 12 minutes in!
15 mins – Arsenal, who have dominated the opening exchanges, need to keep the ball moving and avoid being dragged into a dogfight here, as Atletico drop deeper. Lacazette has been heavily involved and has another header on goal, but can’t keep his effort down to trouble Oblak.
18 mins – Arsenal piling the pressure on the visitors now as Lacazette and Ozil link up delightfully on the edge of the box, and then Welbeck picks the advancing Wilshere out, but he heads straight at the ‘keeper.
20 mins – Arsenal are getting closer. Welbeck plays a lovely one-two and then forces Oblak into a smart stop with his feet, the Atletico ‘keeper getting it behind for a corner. From the set-piece, Koscielny snatches at one as the ball finds its way across the area.
Marseille have hit the front in their semi-final against Salzburg, with former West Ham striker Dimitri Payet giving the French side a perfect start.
6 - Dimitri Payet has had a hand in six of Marseille’s last 10 goals in the Europa League, registering three goals and three assists. Guidance.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2018
24 mins – A controlled and dominant start from Arsenal but they’ve been far from clinical in front of goal with a number of glorious chances spurned, while Jan Oblak has made a couple of smart stops. Patience may be the name of the game tonight for the Gunners.
30 mins — Ozil is linking with Lacazette and Welbeck between the lines beautifully, the German popping up in space regularly and causing huge problems for the Atletico defence. On this occasion, Monreal tries his luck as Ramsey’s cross finds its way to the back-post, but the Spaniard’s effort is off target.
32 mins – A word of warning for Arsenal: Atletico still carry a lethal threat at the other end. Griezmann, who has hardly had a touch to this juncture, drops back and unleashes a low drive which forces Ospina to get down low to his left.
34 mins – The tackles are flying in and although Arsenal are dominating, it remains scoreless. The Gunners have had 13 shots on goal already but are still searching for the breakthrough goal.
35 mins – If there was ever a team you’d back to get a result even with a man down, it would be Simeone’s Atletico. They’re really digging in here and have taken the initial sting out of Arsenal’s bright start.
37 mins — Chance! Arsenal have dominated the ball but very nearly fall behind as Atletico again show how dangerous they can be as Partey forces his way through, and the it falls to Griezmann, who will be disappointed he fired straight at Ospina from 12 yards out. The visitors have really grown into this game.
40 mins – Mustafi gives away a free and Atletico work it out wide through Koke and then Kevin Gameiro looks to angle it past Ospina, but was unable to get enough purchase on his header. The complexion of this game has suddenly changed, with Arsenal now looking vulnerable.
Half-time: Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
No shortage of talking points during that first half as Sime Vrsaljko saw red after just 10 minutes and then Diego Simeone was sent to the stands after losing the plot on the touchline.
Arsenal have dominated proceedings and have had plenty of chances, but have struggled to break Atletico’s resilient rearguard down.
15 - Arsenal have had 15 shots (inc. blocks) against Atlético; their most in the first half of a game without scoring since December 2017 against Manchester United (also 15). Guarded. pic.twitter.com/Dl2RndmvP3
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2018
KICK OFF! Teams are back out and we’re underway again at the Emirates.
46 mins – Atletico have started the second half like they ended the first; on the front foot. Arsenal fans trying to lift their side.
49 mins – Simeone continues to pace up and down at the top of the steps in the VIP area after getting sent off in the first half. It doesn’t seem to have affected his side, however, as they continue to work tirelessly and stand firm.
52 mins – Even with a man less, Atletico are so well-drilled and organised. They’re sitting tight, in their rigid defensive formation, and when in possession retaining the ball and making Arsenal work to get it back. It’s gone a bit flat inside the Emirates again.
57 mins – Much better from Arsenal, as they up the tempo and look to stretch 10-man Atletico. After working it well, Xhaka looks for Ozil at the back post but the German opts to take it on the volley and isn’t helped by the tight angle.
58 mins – Atletico continue to stand firm, their obdurate defence refusing to buckle under the pressure. It’s pretty much attack versus defence at the moment, and Arsenal are really struggling to break the Spanish side down.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Atletico (Lacazette)
Finally! Jack Wilshere provides the inspiration as he finds space to cross for Lacazette, who beats Oblak with a downward header. Arsenal eventually get their reward, and you can’t say it hasn’t been coming.
62 mins – Arsenal deserved that and what a big goal it was. Atletico gave it away in a dangerous area and Wilshere played a smart one-two, before digging out a cross for the French striker, who rose to power beyond Oblak.
64 mins – Ozil drops the shoulder and glides past Giménez before pulling it back, where Welbeck is denied by a last-ditch tackle. The visitors are making their first change, with Gabi coming on for Gameiro.
There’s been a second goal at the Stade Velodrome and Clinton Njie has put Marseille 2-0 up against Salzburg. Dimitri Payet again heavily involved.
68 mins – Arsenal going for the jugular now. Lacazette, who has been superb all evening, fires it across the six-yard box but Welbeck is just unable to stretch and get on the end of it.
75 mins – Another change from Simeone, and it’s another defensive one. Former Man City defender Stefan Savic is on for Angel Correa as the visitors look to hold out. 15 minutes remaining.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Atletico (Griezmann)
Out of nothing, Atletico strike and have a crucial away goal! The visitors have hardly had a kick in the second half but Koscielny fails to deal with a ball over the top and after the ball comes back off Ospina, Griezmann finishes over Mustafi. Disaster for Arsenal.
84 mins – That is criminal from Arsenal as they shoot themselves in the foot. So, so poor.
86 mins – Griezmann has just made way for Fernando Torres. Just four minutes remaining and Arsenal are looking for a goal to take a lead to Madrid.
86 mins – This would be a draw that feels like a defeat for Arsenal. They’re pushing for a late winner though…
87 mins — SAVE! What a stop from Oblak as he claws Ramsey’s header away when it looked destined for the top corner.
In many ways, Arsenal going out of the Europa League because of Koscielny kicking the ball into his own face would be a more fitting send-off for Wenger than them winning it.
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) April 26, 2018
90 mins – Into three minutes of injury time at the Emirates. Ramsey has another header on goal but it’s straight at the ‘keeper.
Full-time! Arsenal 1-1 Atletico Madrid
So after dominating from start to finish, Arsenal throw away a precious lead and that 1-1 draw must feel like a defeat for the Gunners. It sets it up nicely for next week’s return leg, and until then goodbye!
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