Arsenal will be travelling to the Wanda Metropolitano for the UEFA Europa League Semi-Final second leg against Atletico Madrid on Thursday evening. After the 1-1 draw last week, the La Liga outfit have a distinct advantage over Arsene Wenger’s men due to that single away goal they scored late in the injury time.
However, none of the clubs can be ruled out just yet. The tie is pretty well balanced and both sides have the chance of progressing to the final of the competition.
Arsenal are coming off a 2-1 weekend loss to their bitter rivals, Manchester United while Atletico managed to win their league fixture by 1-0 over a relatively weaker Alaves. The Red Devils scored late in the fixture to register all three points in what was an almost inconsequential tie for both sides. Arsenal are nowhere close to the top-four spots and United have pretty much wrapped up their second-place finish for the season.
Wenger quite expectedly rested some of his key players in anticipation of this fixture alone. It remains the Frenchman’s best hope of registering any silverware this campaign, which would be a fitting goodbye after his 22-year spell with the club.
However, just like Jose Mourinho in the weekend tie, Diego Simeone will not be eager make things any easier for Wenger either, even though the Argentine will be watching the match from the stands rather than from the dugout.
He picked up a suspension in the last fixture after reacting animatedly against one of Hector Bellerin’s challenge against one of his players.
Here is how Arsenal might line up on gameday.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
David Ospina’s presence is expected in between the sticks. Petr Cech is still not completely fit for the tie.
Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal might provide cover from the right and the left respectively, while Shkodran Mustafi and Laurentresumelny resume their duties at the centre-back roles.
Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac to remain on the bench as backup.
Midfield
Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka are the predicted starters in the holding midfield role. Jack Wilshere is expected to start in front of the duo in the attacking midfield position.
Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck are to feature on the flanks, the latter on the left and the German on the right.
Attack
Alexandre Lacazette will be looking to continue on his recent goalscoring form from the lone striker position. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied.
