Arsenal FC
vs
Atletico Madrid
Kick-off
19:05 GMT
26 April 2018
On the back of the UEFA Champions League semi-final first legs, the Europa League semis take place on Thursday evening. In the bigger of the two, Arsenal host Atletico at the Emirates looking to take a lead into the second-leg next week.
These two sides have never met in European competition, their only meeting was a friendly in the Emirates Cup in 2009 which finished 2-1 to Arsenal after a late Andrey Arshavin brace. The last time they faced a Spanish side was seven years ago as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona despite winning the first leg at the Nou Camp. Atletico’s last experience of an English side was against Chelsea in London earlier in the campaign, where they drew 1-1.
The hosts need to take advantage of a home first leg by giving themselves some breathing room before the first leg. Mohamed Elneny and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are both injured and won’t feature while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ineligible to play. Latest matches: Arsenal FC
22.04.2018
Prem
Arsenal FC
West Ham United
4:1
W
15.04.2018
Prem
Newcastle United
Arsenal FC
2:1
L
12.04.2018
UEFA
CSKA Moscow
Arsenal FC
2:2
D
08.04.2018
Prem
Arsenal FC
Southampton FC
3:2
W
05.04.2018
UEFA
Arsenal FC
CSKA Moscow
4:1
W
Avoiding defeat would put Atletico in the driving seat ahead of next week and any away goals could turn out to be huge. Despite reports of any injury, Diego Costa is fit to start at the Emirates while Juanfran will miss both legs. Latest matches: Atletico Madrid
22.04.2018
LaLi
Atletico Madrid
Betis Sevilla
0:0
D
19.04.2018
LaLi
Real Sociedad
Atletico Madrid
3:0
L
15.04.2018
LaLi
Atletico Madrid
Levante UD
3:0
W
12.04.2018
UEFA
Sporting CP
Atletico Madrid
1:0
L
08.04.2018
LaLi
Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid
1:1
D
This could turn out to be one of Arsenal’s biggest games if they can pull off a decent result in the first-leg. However, an Atletico win, which is a real possibility, could all-but-confirm their elimination from the Europa League. It’s very hard to split the sides but with the potential of Griezmann and Costa in the visitors’ attacking line, they are slight favourites.
26 April 2018 - 19:05 GMT
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