RESULTS & FIXTURES
If Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal finale is to be a Europa League final in his native France his side will have to do it the hard way after surrendering a well-deserved lead to draw against ten-man Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final.
Even taking into account their 80-minute numerical advantage last night, this was one of Arsenal’s best team displays of the campaign as a loud Emirates Stadium crowd saw Alexandre Lacazette head them in front following a largelydominant hour of the tie.
But, as with many of Arsenal’s recent campaigns, there was a late sting in the tail as defensive deficiencies were laid bare for all to see as Antoine Griezmann sealed a 1-1 draw with a late equaliser.
Before Lacazette’s opener, Madrid were holding out for a goalless draw to take back to the Spanish capital for next week’s second leg as Sime Vrsaljko was sent off early on, followed swiftly by manager Diego Simeone.
This was Wenger’s final home European tie in charge after he announced last week he will step down in the summer after over 21 years in charge. It was going so well when Lacazette opened the scoring but it ended in now familiar disappointment.
Arsenal were at it from the off, Danny Welbeck crossing for Lacazette, whose shot into the ground came off the outside of the post.
Atleti’s slow start was only compounded by Vrsaljko’s early sending-off, the rightback booked after just 90 seconds for fouling Jack Wilshere before being given his marching orders for a verted past the back-tracking Shkodran Mustafi, who had already slipped over.
Thesecondlegisatmadrid’s Wanda Metropolitano next Thursday, when the teams will be fighting it out to reach next month’s final in Lyon. And it is a French team who have the upper hand in the other semi, with Marseille leading Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 after last night’s first leg. Florian Thauvin and Clinton N’jie scored for the hosts either side of half-time.