**Arsenal:** Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
**Subs:** Kepa, Setford, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon
Arsenal took a positive step to Budapest after drawing their Champions League semi-final first leg 1-1 against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, following a first half opener from Viktor Gyokeres.
Mikel Arteta made three changes from the side that beat Newcastle last time out, with Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli and Gyokeres all starting from the off.
Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze were only deemed fit enough for the bench, with Riccardo Calafiori also returning after three weeks out.
**FIRST HALF**
It was a tough start for Arsenal who were under the cosh in a pumped up stadium, but the first chance fell their way after Noni Madueke did well to get beyond two defenders before standing the ball up to the back post – only for Piero Hincapie to volley wide with Gabriel Martinelli diving for a header in front of him.
But that sight of goal seemed to settle the Gunners down, who enjoyed a decent spell of possession before Alvarez tested Raya from the edge of the box, with Martin Odegaard spurning a good opportunity up the other end after excellent work from Viktor Gyokeres to get beyond Pubill in transition.
With 25 minutes on the clock, there was a brief stoppage in play after Gyokeres took a whack in the face (from Madueke) and there was a tiny penalty shout for the Gunners after Gabriel was obstructed in the box by Koke but neither the referee nor VAR were convinced.
Arsenal were looking increasingly confident as the half went on and Madueke fired another effort just wide after doing well to cut inside, with Oblak certainly scrambling in the Atletico goal as the ball flashed past him.
The Gunners’ midfield set up was interesting with Declan Rice playing as the lone six – dropping deep between the centre backs in possession, protecting space on the counter – with Odegaard and Martin Zubimendi buzzing about further forward.
And seconds before half time, Arsenal had a golden chance to take the lead after Alvarez gave the ball away in midfield, before some one-touch play between Zubimendi and Odegaard saw the Spaniard play Gyokeres through on goal who was clumsily brought down from behind by Hancko.
Atletico and Simeone were keen to protest the decision but it was a clear foul from the defender, who was wrong side and pushed Gyokeres in the back, allowing him to step up and whack the penalty beyond Oblak who was beaten by pure power. [0-1](http://0-1 https://streamff.com/v/0d3ca7a6).
After weathering the early storm, it was a strong first half performance from Arsenal who looked calm in possession, controlled the game and took their chance when it was offered.
**SECOND HALF**
Atletico made a half time change with Le Normand replacing Simeone who took an early bang on the hip, moving Pubill to right back and Llorente further forward to right midfield.
The hosts started the second half well and Alvarez (along with 90% of the stadium) thought he’d equalised when a 30-yard free kick was struck into the side netting with Raya diving across his goal, which felt like a shot in the arm for the fans who were more than up for an equaliser.
Arsenal were struggling to contain Atletico and they were caught again after Alvarez played Lookman through on goal, whose effort was saved by Raya before heroic defending from Gabriel saw a follow-up strike from Griezmann deflected over.
From the resulting corner, Griezmann found Llorente unmarked on the edge of the box and his mishit volley – that was going ten miles wide – hit Ben White on the arm as he tried to block the effort. His arm was away from his body but it bounced up off the turf, hit his shin and onto the arm.
Atletico were going mental and eventually the referee was sent to the monitor, where after a series of replays the penalty was given. Alvarez stepped up and made no mistake, whacking the ball into the corner with Raya opting to stay in the middle. [1-1](http://1-1 https://streamff.com/v/33c45642).
Seconds after the equaliser, Arteta reacted by bringing on Eberechi Eze for Odegaard – it remains to be seen whether this was injury enforced or tactical.
Atletico were purring at this point and were inches away from taking the lead when Lookman found Griezmann on the edge of the box, who curled a stunning effort onto the crossbar before volleying a fierce effort inches wide after the ball was recycled; that was actually deflected off target by Hincapie.
With 25 minutes remaining, Arteta had seen enough and prepared a triple change with Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus replacing Martinelli, Madueke and the goalscorer Gyokeres.
There was another chance for Lookman after Atletico caught Arsenal in transition, with the winger getting ahead of White (who looked sluggish in the box) before firing another strike straight at Raya when he should have done better.
Arteta’s men were definitely on the ropes and probably looking to get out of Madrid with a draw, until they went up the other end and earned themselves another penalty out of nothing when Eze was fouled in the box by Hancko.
Referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot and was immediately hounded by the Atletico players once again with Diego Simeone going ballistic on the sideline, and after going to the monitor – overturned the decision despite replays showing clear contact on Eze from the defender.
He had 13 replays of the incident and was the decision a “clear and obvious error” despite the foul being slightly soft – absolutely not.
Arsenal took control of possession during the latter stages with Atletico defending deep, but despite some nearly moments, struggled to carve out any clear opportunities and eventually it was honours even ahead of next week’s second leg.
There may not have been nine goals but there was no shortage of drama, with the Gunners understandably frustrated about two of three penalties that were given in the game.
Atletico definitely improved in the second half though and showed why they are not to be underestimated with the second leg finely poised. Up next – Fulham.