Arsenal are still are at level terms with Atletico Madrid with 1-1 scoreline just after full-time in the first leg of the match at the Emirates. It was a good match to watch out for the football fans all over the world. The Gunners are playing this match at their home. The whole Emirates Stadium is cheering the home means to get a win in this competition as this is now the only way for them to get a chance to play in the Champions League in the next season. The top four race in the Premier League is out of their hands now. It is the last season of Arsene Wenger too for Arsenal. So, the fans are more or less emotional with it. Wenger will surely wish to win the Europa League to finish on a high note in his long term managerial career at Arsenal. The Gunners are facing a tough test against the Madrid outfit but it would be really odd if they are not able to win the match from here on after Atletico Madrid getting down to ten men on the field.
The north London outfit took the lead from a goal by Lacazette on the hour mark, with his compatriot Griezmann, making it all square 9 minutes before the end of normal time.
Here are the Starting Lineup of both the teams :
Starting Lineups :
Arsenal :(4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Ospina
Defenders : Bellerin,Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal
Midfielders : Xhaka, Ramsey, Wilshere
Attackers : Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette.
Atletico Madrid :(4-4-2)
Goalkeeper : Oblak
Defenders : Vrsaljko, Godin, Gimenez, Lucas Hernandez.
Midfielders : Thomas, Saul, Koke, Correa
Attackers : Griezmann, Gameiro.
Here are the talking points of the match :
1. Sime Vrsaljko’s Red Card Had Let Atletico Madrid Down :
Atletico Madrid full back Sime Vrsaljko was shown two yellow cards within 9 minutes of the game. At first he was booked due to a bad challenge on Jack Wilshere at just 2nd minute of the match. After that, it was a bad challenge on Alexandre Lacazette and the referee showed another yellow card to the player. It was a real brave decision by the referee in the circumstances of the match. Though, it was a correct decision too, Diego Simeone and his men were furious over the decision of the referee. After the decision, Atletico Madrid players are constantly asking the referee to show cards to the Arsenal players after any foul committed by them.
2. David Ospina Was Chosen over Petr Cech :
The Gunners have two quality Goalkeepers in their squad to play in the big match like this. Petr Cech definitely has more experience under his belts than David Ospina to be chosen for these big matches. But, it was quite a strange decision to choose David Ospina over Petr Cech. Maybe, the age factor is coming into the question for Petr Cech. His reflexes are not as like that of the previous days. So, David Ospina started at the Goal of the Gunners in this big semi final against Atletico Madrid.
3. Should Have Been An Easy Win For The Gunners :
It will be really difficult for a team to defend with 10 men in a big match like this. So, it was expected to be an easy win for the Gunners from there on. Atletico Madrid were surely expected to try to not concede more than one or two goals to have a chance to make a come back in the second half. However, they did one better and ended the game with a draw and a crucial away goal.
4. Poor Defending Yet Again-
A feature of the French manager’s team in recent times has been their awful defending, which was on showcase yet again. The centre-back duo of Koscielny and Mustafi let the team down yet again, when it mattered the most, letting Griezmann to capitalize on the chance that he got to make it 1-1.
