Arsenal Host Atletico Madrid in Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg
Theo Al Jazeera English
Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on May 5 in the Champions League semi-final second leg, after a 1-1 first-leg draw. Both goals came from penalties. Bukayo Saka is back from injury and scored in Arsenal's last match.
Arsenal will host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium at 8:00 p.m. local time on May 5 (early morning May 6 Vietnam time) in the Champions League semi-final second leg. The two sides drew 1-1 in the first leg in Madrid, with both goals coming from penalties.
The winners will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final on May 30.
Saka's Return Gives Arsenal a Boost
Bukayo Saka returned from injury and made an immediate impact, scoring and assisting Viktor Gyokeres in a 3-0 win over Fulham on May 3. It was the first time in 16 matches that Arsenal scored three goals in a game.
Manager Mikel Arteta said: "He definitely makes a difference. His two actions decided the match. Saka is back at the most important stage of the season."
The Fulham match was also the first time Saka started since recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.
Alvarez and Uncertain Future
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is a transfer target linked with Arsenal and Barcelona. However, he said: "I try not to pay attention to rumors. This is the most important time of the season, I want to focus on helping the team."
Alvarez scored from the penalty spot in the first leg to level the score at 1-1 after Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Arsenal, also from the spot.
Head-to-Head Record
The two clubs have met only four times in history, with each winning once and two draws. In the group stage this season, Arsenal won 4-0. Their previous meeting was in the 2018 Europa League semi-finals, which Atletico won 1-0 on aggregate.
Champions League History
Neither team has ever won the Champions League. Atletico reached the finals in 2014 and 2016 but lost to Real Madrid both times. Arsenal reached the final in 2006, losing 2-1 to Barcelona.
Expected Line-ups
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann
Atletico will be without Pablo Barrios and Nico Gonzalez due to thigh injuries. Giuliano Simeone, Alexander Sorloth and Jose Gimenez are carrying minor knocks and will be assessed on match day. Arsenal are missing Jurrien Timber (groin injury) and Mikel Merino (leg surgery).
