Arsenal host Atletico Madrid in the Europa League on Thursday night, knowing that it will be Arsene Wenger’s final chance to win a European trophy as manager of the North London club. After plenty of fan demonstrations in recent years, Wenger announced that he would be leaving the club on Friday morning, despite having another year left on his contract.
Wenger’s announcement was met by distinct apathy by the Gunners faithful during their game on Sunday, where they beat West Ham 4-1 at the Emirates. Arsenal left it late to record their victory though and it was only when West Ham collapsed that they capitalised, as they scored three goals in the last 10 minutes. Aaron Ramsey got one, before Alexandre Lacazette scored a four-minute brace to put some gloss on a fairly average performance. They’ll have to be much-improved if they’re to beat Atletico Madrid over two legs.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side come to London having recorded a goalless draw against Real Betis at the weekend. Prior to that, they lost to Real Sociedad 3-0, but that came four days after beating Levante 3-0. It’s been a mixed set of results as of late, but that shouldn’t diminish the fact that they’re a very dangerous team, who are more than capable of taking Arsenal apart. They’re defensively solid and strong on the counter, which has led to Simeone being a possible replacement for Wenger at the end of the season. They’re second in La Liga, but fell out of this year’s Champions League after failing to beat Qarabag home and away and they also lost at home to Chelsea.
Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid Predictions
Arsenal will be boosted by the absence of Diego Costa and the defenders might think they’re in for an easier night, but it’s dangerous to think that way, especially as Atletico still feature plenty of dangerous players. Arsenal regularly come unstuck against well-organised teams that can hit on the break and they’re weak defensively. Expect a low-scoring game, with Atletico getting the win.
Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Arsenal and Atletico have never met in UEFA competition, though the Gunners did beat their Spanish opponents 2-1 at home in the 2009 pre-season Emirates Cup.
- The Gunners have won only ten of their 31 UEFA competition matches against teams from Spain, losing 14. At home, their record in 14 encounters is W8 D3 L3, the most recent a 2-0 defeat against Barcelona in the 2015/16 Champions League round of 16 first leg.
- Atletico’s record in 27 matches against English clubs is W10 D11 L6, and they have been victorious in seven of their nine two-legged knockout contests, including each of the last three.
- The Madrid side have drawn 1-1 on each of their last two visits to England, against Leicester in last season’s Champions League quarter-final, and at Chelsea in this season’s group stage. Saul Niguez scored Atletico’s goal in both matches.
- Arsenal’s eight-match unbeaten home run in UEFA Cup and Europa League matches (W6 D2) came to an end in the round of 32 with a 2-1 defeat by Ostersund.
- Prior to beating AC Milan, the Gunners had lost each of their previous six European home games in the spring, conceding 17 goals. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in the last eight.
- Atletico were unbeaten on their European travels this season until their 1-0 quarter-final second-leg defeat at Sporting, three draws in the UEFA Champions League preceding two wins in the Europa League.
- Atletico have won only four of their 14 away legs in UEFA semi-finals, the most recent success coming in London four years ago with a 3-1 win at Chelsea.
Arsenal Team News
Mohamed Elneny will definitely miss out, after suffering ankle ligament damage against West Ham, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan also misses out. Wenger faces a dilemma as to whether to stick with regular Europa League goalkeeper David Ospina or start Petr Cech.
Probable Arsenal XI: Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Skhodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Granit Xhaka, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Danny Welbeck, Alexandre Lacazette
Atletico Madrid Team News
Diego Simeone could stick with the three-man defence that he used against Real Betis on Sunday. Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been ruled out of Thursday’s clash and is a doubt for the second leg in a week’s time.
Probable Atletico Madrid XI:
Jan Oblak, Juanfran, Diego Godin, Stefan Savic, Theo Hernandez, Koke, Gabi, Saul Niguez, Angel Correa, Vitolo, Antoine Griezmann