Arsenal and Atlético Madrid prepare to battle in their Champions League semi-final, second leg. The match takes place at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta’s Optimism and Team Selection
Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT Sports, barely able to suppress an excited grin. He said he has never seen an atmosphere like this and is happy with the enthusiasm. He noted that Myles Lewis-Skelly has played many times in midfield and is very flexible. Arteta added that they need to be very adaptable and aggressive with the ball.
Arteta hopes Bukayo Saka can maintain his form and help them win the game. He acknowledged Atlético’s ability to manage moments in games, stating they have prepared for it. He expressed hope that referee decisions will be correct this time. “Let’s go for it, let’s do it!” Arteta exclaimed.
Miles Lewis-Skelly is rewarded for his performance against Fulham with a starting spot, replacing Martin Zubimendi. Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard also start, with Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Piero Hincapié and Martin Ødegaard dropping to the bench. Kai Havertz is named as a sub after shaking off injury concerns.
Atlético’s Alvarez Starts Amidst Fitness Concerns
Atlético’s big worry was Julian Alvarez’s fitness, but he starts. He had been taken off with an injured ankle during the first leg and missed the game at Valencia at the weekend. His first-leg equaliser made him the first Atleti player to score ten goals in a single Champions League campaign, and the fastest Argentinian to 25 goals overall, reaching the mark in 41 appearances, compared to Lionel Messi’s 42.
Atlético make just one change from their first-leg starting XI: Robin Le Normand comes in for Johnny Cardoso, who drops to the bench.
Starting Lineups and Substitutes
The confirmed lineups are as follows:
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Subs: Kepa, Setford, Mosquera, Hincapie, Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Zubimendi, Dowman.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman, Griezmann, Alvarez.
Subs: Musso, Gimenez, Mendoza, Johnny, Sorloth, Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Bonar, Diaz.
The referee for the match is Daniel Siebert (Germany).
Hotel Change and Superstition
Both teams have arrived at the Emirates. Atlético stayed in a different hotel compared to their previous visit, switching from the four-star Marriott Hotel in Regents Park to the five-star Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch. Diego Simeone said the change was because “The hotel was cheaper,” but his smile suggested otherwise. It is unconfirmed if he was smiling last night as fireworks were set off near that hotel.
Arsenal have lost just two of their last 23 games.