Gunners handed toughest semi draw

Arsenal must do it the hard way in their bid for Europa League glory after drawing favourites Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.

The Gunners came from 2-0 down to draw the second leg of their quarterfinal at CSKA Moscow 2-2 on Thursday night, progressing 6-3 on aggregate against the Russian side.

The Europa League is Arsenal’s only remaining chance of silverware this season and offers their most realistic route back into the Champions League as the north London club are 13 points adrift of the Premier League top four.

Speaking after Thursday night’s match, when at one point Arsenal had been a goal away from elimination, manager Arsene Wenger admitted he would prefer to avoid Atletico who looked “the strongest team on paper” of their potential opponents.

Atletico, who dropped down from the Champions League following the group stage, progressed at the expense of Sporting Lisbon, despite a 1-0 away defeat in their second leg.

Diego Simeone’s side are currently second in Laliga, behind runaway leaders Barcelona.

The other semi-final will be between French club Marseille and Austrian outfit Salzburg, who advanced following fine comeback wins over RB Leipzig and Lazio, respectively.

Arsenal will host Atletico on April 26, and it remains to be seen whether former Chelsea forward Diego Costa will be fully fit for the Spaniards after picking up a hamstring injury against Sporting.

The Gunners head to the Wanda Metropolitano stadium on May 3.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes the Spaniards are a “nightmare draw” for his old club.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson said: “Atletico are not a team that are going to blow you away – they’ll suffocate you more than anything and nick a goal.”