The 2017/18 UEFA Europa League draw produced a pairing which would have graced the final and Arsenal and Atletico Madrid meet on Thursday night in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
This will be Arsene Wenger’s last home European match in charge of Arsenal and while he would have preferred to be in the Champions League, a Europa League win would be the perfect way to end his European managerial career with the Gunners.
Atletico Madrid are another team who have been regularly competing in the Champions League over the past few years but will see this as an opportunity to land European silverware for the first time since winning this competition in 2011/12.
Arsenal come into this match having defeated West Ham United 4-1 in the Premier League on Sunday. That was Arsenal’s only win in their last three games in all competitions having been held to a 2-2 draw at CSKA Moscow in the Europa League and defeated 2-1 at Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Home form is excellent for Arsenal and they have won each of their last six home games in all competitions. That run includes two Europa League matches which ended 3-1 and 4-1 in favour of Arsenal against AC Milan and CSKA Moscow respectively.
Trends show Arsenal have won by 2 or more goals in four of their last six home Europa League games and Wenger will be keen to have a good advantage to take to Spain for the second leg.
Atletico Madrid travel to London having been held to a 0-0 draw at home by Real Betis in La Liga on the weekend. That result means Diego Simeone’s team have won only one of their last five matches in all competitions and that was a 3-0 home win against Levante in La Liga.
However, trends show Atletico Madrid have won four of their last five Europa League matches and have won by two or more goals in four of their last six in the competition.
Away form has not been good and Atletico Madrid have won just one of their last six away games in all competitions, which came at Lokomotiv Moscow in the Europa League. Their previous away Europa League game ended in a 1-0 defeat at Sporting Lisbon but Atletico Madrid had taken the first leg 2-0 to progress.
Team news and Arsenal will be without Mohamed Elneny who has an ankle injury plus Jack Wilshere, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Petr Cech are doubtful. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied so Alexandre Lacazette will play up-front.
Atletico Madrid could be without Diego Costa, Juanfran and Filipe Luis who are all injured. Diego Godín, Koke and Antoine Griezmann were rested on the weekend and are expected to return for this game.
Arsenal know they need to take a lead with them to Spain next week but despite not being in their best form, Atletico Madrid are the toughest team they have faced in Europe this season. Simeone will have his team set up strongly and will be tough to beat, meaning this match could end in a low scoring draw, with all to play for in the second leg.