Arsenal eye final berth as they play Atletico Madrid away in 2017/18 UEFA Europa League semi-final 2nd leg
Kick-off : 9:05 PM (Local)
Venue : Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid
Arsenal will be disappointed they drew with Atletico Madrid last week where they could have won. Atleti were down to 10 men for the most of the game and the Gunners couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. Now the Spanish club have the away goal advantage.
Arsenal will need to net first of all in Madrid and then hope they don’t loose the game. But Arsenal know it’s no easy task as Atletico Madrid haven’t conceded a goal at their home in the last 12 matches.
On the other hand, Atleti just need a goalless draw or avoid defeat to reach the final. They can do it and will be hoping for the same although Arsenal will be a different test altogether.
So far Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have played each other just once which was last week’s drawn game.
Team news and possible line-ups
Sime Vrsaljko will not be available for the midweek game as due to suspension. While Filipe Luis and Juanfran will both be unavailable as due to injuries.
Diego Simeone rested Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and Saul Niguez at the weekend but they will all return for the semi-final.
As for Arsenal, Mohamed Elneny and Santi Cazorla will both be not available as due to injuries. Whereas Henrikh Mkhitaryan is available and will likely play.
Atletico Madrid XI : Oblak, Partey, Gimenez, Godin, Hernandez, Niguez, Gabi, Koke, Correa, Griezmann, Costa.
Arsenal XI : Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Ramsey, Wilshere, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Lacazette.
Prediction
I expect Arsenal to go through but it’s football and anything can happen. I bet on a 2-1 Gunners win though!
