PREVIEW: Chasing the Dream – Arsenal Face Atleti in Massive Semi-Final Clash

Arsenal is back in action on Tuesday night as they take on Spanish giants, Atletico Madrid in the first leg of this season’s UEFA Champions League semifinals at the Metropolitano Stadium.

For the second consecutive year, Mikel Arteta’s side find themselves competing amongst the final four in arguably football’s most prestigious trophy of them all. Arsenal is yet to win the Champions League in their footballing history meaning this feels that little bit more important for the Gunners who are also seeking their first European final since that disastrous night in Baku seven years ago.

As for Atletico, they also are keen to finally lift this wonderful title. They are the only side to reach three UCL finals and not win the actual trophy which could provide extra motivation for Diego Simeone’s side this year.

The two sides have already faced each other this season earlier in the league phase at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal will be hopeful of that result repeating itself during these semifinal encounters. The Gunners swept aside the Rojiblancos back in October. During a run where Arsenal kept ten consecutive clean sheets, Arteta’s men meant business against Atletico that day.

After a relatively cagey first half with limited chances, the second period was an opposite. Gabriel headed in Declan Rice’s freekick to open the scoring just before the hour mark. Just seven minutes later, the Gunners doubled their advantage thanks to a wonderful run by Myles Lewis-Skelly who picked up the ball in his own half, dribbled past multiple players before eventually laying the ball for Gabreil Martinelli who swept home clinically into the far corner. The game went from bad to worse for the visitors who quickly found themselves 4-0 down in a blink of an eye before the clock even hit 70 minutes. Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres, who at the time had not scored in over a month, poked two goals into Jan Oblak’s net to wrap up a phenomenal night in North London.

This game is expected to go differently. Both sides have been struggling as of late in all their respective competitions. Arsenal has won just two of their last seven whereas Atletico have won only two of their last nine games. With neither side really hitting their usual heights, this game may have to be decided by a moment of brilliance which they do possess in their squads.

Julian Alvarez is certainly a man to watch for Atletico. Currently linked with a move to Arsenal, the Argentine has had a wonderful season in Spain scoring nineteen and assisting eight. His movement off the ball is superb and when given an opportunity, this man rarely fails to miss. Will cause a huge threat to the Arsenal backline.

Martin Odegaard cannot be written off for a game like this. The Arsenal captain has been suffering with multiple spells on the sideline due to injuries and has struggled to find his spot in the side all the time. He will have a point to prove and these are the games he will want to show his qualities most. No matter your opinion on Odegaard, he still possesses qualities most midfielders would die for. Atletico cannot afford to leave the Norwegian with too much space otherwise he will thread a perfect pass and if Gyokeres is on his game, that can easily lead to a goal.

This is set up to be a fascinating encounter. The game kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 28th April.