Get ready for a spicy round two of the slug-fest between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Last week’s first leg was jam-packed with drama as the teams played out a 1-1 draw in which Atleti could consider themselves lucky to have escaped with a point at home.
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Their manager Diego Simeone was, as usual, in the thick of the action, provoking plenty of criticism from TV pundits and on social media for his antics in protesting a penalty decision, which was eventually overturned on review, much to the dismay of Arsenal and their boss Mikel Arteta.
But it’ll be the Gunners who’ll be hoping to whip the home crowd into a frenzy this time around, as they look to make it to European football’s biggest game for the first time in 20 years.
Arsenal come into the clash on the back of some good form, having arrested their alarming slide in the Premier League by recording back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Fulham, the latter of which featured Bukayo Saka’s first start in over a month as he eases his way back from injury.
Atletico have also won their last two league matches, including a 2-0 win away to Valencia over the weekend that came despite Simeone resting many of his big-name starts, including Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezman, Ademola Lookman, goalkeeper Jan Oblak and captain Koke.
Here’s all the key info you need to know ahead of this massive Champions League battle.
Match Details and How to Watch
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid, UEFA Champions League semi-final, second leg
Date: Wednesday 6 May (Australian time) / Tuesday 5 May (European time)
Kick-off: 5am AEST / 8pm local
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Broadcast in Australia: Stan Sport
Form Guide
Arsenal (most recent game first)
3-0 WIN vs Fulham
1-1 DRAW vs Atletico Madrid
1-0 WIN vs Newcastle
2-1 LOSS vs Manchester City
0-0 DRAW vs Sporting Lisbon
Atletico Madrid (most recent game first)
2-0 WIN vs Valencia
1-1 DRAW vs Arsenal
3-2 WIN vs Athletic Club
3-2 LOSS vs Elche
2-2 DRAW vs Real Sociedad (lost 4-3 on penalties in Copa del Rey final)
Team News
Arsenal received a big boost this week when Arteta revealed that captain Martin Odegaard and key forward Kai Havertz had been included in the matchday squad.
Whether either of them makes it onto the pitch after missing recent matches through injury remains to be seen, but it could give the Gunners a couple of different focal points in attack after recent struggles when it came to creating chances.
The focus for Atletico is on their top goal-scorer Julian Alvarez, who looked to pick up an ankle injury during last week’s first leg. He was included in the matchday squad for this week’s game and Simeone will be desperate to have the Argentine at his disposal.