But Griezmann makes it tough route to final

Simeone was raging in the 12th minute over Hector Bellerin not being booked for a foul from behind on Lucas Hernandez and French ref Clement Turpin sent the Argentine to the stand.

Keeper Oblak did well to keep out a Welbeck shot with his left leg after the striker was sent clear by Wilshere.

Atletico gave a warning of their threat when Griezmann forced David Ospina to dive low to his left to keep out his shot.

He did really well in the 28th minute to keep out a much firmer drive from the French ace after a storming run into the box by Thomas Partey.

For a while it appeared as if Atletico would repel the Gunners. Then Lacazette pounced with his 16th goal of the season to fire up the home side. But with eight minutes left, Griezmann pounced when Laurent Koscielny misjudged a long punt forward, got the better of Shkodran Mustafi and Ospina, and steered his shot high into the net.

MARSEILLE are in pole position in the other semi-final after goals from Florian Thauvin and former Spurs winger Clinton N’Jie gave them a 2-0 first-leg win over Red Bull Salzburg.

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal; Xhaka, Ramsey; Ozil, Wilshere, Welbeck; Lacazette. Subs: Cech, Holding, Iwobi, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac, Nketiah.

ATLETICO (4-4-2): Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Lucas; Correa (Savic 75), Niguez, Partey, Koke; Griezmann (Torres 85), Gameiro (Gabi 65). Subs: Werner, Costa, Vitolo, Olabe.

Referee: Clement Turpin (France).