Arsenal continue their Champions League campaign this week as the Gunners travel to Spain to take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the CL semifinal.
The Gunners finally got back to winning ways in the Premier League over the weekend when they topped Newcastle 1-0 at the Emirates. It wasn’t as dominant or confidence-inspiring as fans would have liked, but the points count all the same. More importantly, it put Arsenal back on top of the PL table after Manchester City briefly overtook them midweek.
It was a big win, to be sure. But the players have little time to celebrate. The schedule picks back up with another quick turnaround as Mikel Arteta’s men are off to Spain on Wednesday looking to turn one win into two.
April has been as frustrating a month for the Gunners as they have endured all season. Before Saturday’s win, the Gunners had notched only one win from their previous five and have not looked close to their best in the process. Additional injury scares have only further complicated things as Arsenal are desperate to establish their form with 4 weeks left in the season with the lineup in a constant state of flux.
Wednesday is likely to be a lot like the first leg against Sporting, with the Gunners looking to play conservative and give little to the hosts in hopes of nicking a goal to take a lead into the second leg. But with the margins thinner and thinner and players playing on the borderline, can they afford to play it safe with so much at stake?
Here are three talking points ahead of Wednesday’s match:
Atletico Madrid enter Wednesday’s match having bested Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
The La Liga side’s season has been a tale of two teams. Domestically, they have been decent but never posed a challenge for the title, currently sitting 4th and firmly in control of their CL fate.
In cup competitions, though, they have enjoyed a bit more success. They made it to the final of the Copa Del Rey before falling to Real Sociedad. Now they have found themselves in the CL semis after an intense 3-2 aggregate win over league leaders Barcelona in the quarterfinals.
For all of the overplayed, snarky accusations of Atletico’s brand of anti-football being “terrorist-ball,” this season has been far less defensively-minded than previous iterations, with Diego Simeone’s side far more balanced at the front and back. Considering they are essentially out of the title race in La Liga, the CL is their lone remaining shot at silverware, and they will come out swinging on Tuesday to take a lead into the second leg.
The attack was bolstered mid-season when they added former Atalanta star winger Ademola Lookman in January. Though he has yet to fully kick on with 2 league goals to his name, he adds speed and dribbling that can keep defenders on their heels. There is no doubt that Simeone will use Lookman to test Arsenal’s back line after seeing the success other clubs have had in recent matches at getting in behind.
The main attacking threat through their CL campaign has been Arsenal-linked Julian Alvarez, whose 9 goals lead the side through 13 matches. Behind him on the scoresheet is 6’5” Alexander Sørloth, who leads the side in domestic goals. Between the two of them, they have a versatile rotation up top that can change to adjust their tactics, though Alvarez is thought to be questionable for Wednesday as he has been carrying a knock.
In midfield, they will be without rising star Pablo Barrios. The 22 year old is set to miss both legs after re-aggravating a hamstring injury.
No rational person would expect another lopsided romp like when Arsenal hosted Atleti in the league phase in October. They are a notoriously tough nut to crack. At home, they will be out for revenge and to secure a spot in the CL final themselves as they, like the Gunners, pursue their first-ever CL title.
Arsenal received a double whammy of scares on Saturday when Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze both were subbed off with injuries. Havertz’ in particular looked concerning as he sat on the pitch looking visibly dismayed before walking right down the tunnel.
If reports are to accurate, there is belief that Havertz’ injury was not as serious as initially believed. Eze was more upfront post-match, stating that he would be just fine. For the team’s sake, let’s hope that it’s true in both cases.
Bukayo Saka finally rejoined the first team after a six week absence as he dealt with an Achilles issue. Riccardo Calafiori was reportedly fit for selection, though missed out on Saturday.
OUT: Mikel Merino (foot), Jurrien Timber (groin/hip)
DOUBT: Kai Havertz (groin), Eberechi Eze (muscular), Riccardo Calafiori (knock)
With Havertz and Eze both coming off injured against Newcastle, the safe bet is a more familiar attacking lineup.