Arsenal 1-1 Atletico Madrid: Late Antoine Griezmann strike punishes GunnersBy Ben Grounds
Last Updated: 26/04/18 10:37pm
Antoine Griezmann's strike eight minutes from time earned 10-man Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Europa League semi-final first leg at the Emirates. Alexandre Lacazette's third goal in as many games in the competition gave Arsene Wenger's side the lead after Sime Vrsaljko had been sent off, but poor defending allowed Griezmann to score a vital away goal on the counter-attack. Atletico, who also had manager Diego Simeone sent to the stands moments after Vrsaljko's dismissal, will be strong favourites to reach the final heading into the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano next Thursday. Arsenal, who dominated the ball throughout the evening, came close to recovering from Griezmann's late intervention but Jan Oblak sprung to his right to dramatically keep out Aaron Ramsey's header.
Arsenal made much the brighter start and the hosts should have been ahead inside six minutes when Lacazette was picked out by Danny Welbeck, but the Frenchman volleyed wide and Oblak made a point-blank save from the striker's header moments later.
Atletico were reduced to 10 men when Vrsaljko - already on a booking for a foul on Jack Wilshere after 75 seconds - was shown his second caution for catching Lacazette on the ankle.
With Simeone ushered to the stands after protesting that Hector Bellerin should have been booked, the Gunners were denied again as Oblak spread his legs to thwart Welbeck before Griezmann fired two warning signs in quick succession.
The lethal Frenchman, who has now scored 14 goals in his last 14 games, forced David Ospina into two smart saves but an eventful first 45 minutes came to an end goalless.
The second period was a much tighter affair, with Atletico defending resolutely until Lacazette found the breakthrough on the hour-mark from Wilshere's deep hanging cross.
The former Lyon striker rose above Lucas at the far post to head into the ground and past Oblak after Wilshere reached the byline following a swift give-and-go with Ramsey.
Arsenal hoped that would be the start of the floodgates opening, but Atletico stood firm as Lacazette's header from Mesut Ozil's corner flew past the far post, before the Gunners were punished for their profligacy.
Laurent Koscielny failed to deal with a long ball and Griezmann pounced on the mistake, first denied by Ospina but able to dink the ball over the grounded Shkodran Mustafi on the rebound to score the all-important away goal.
http://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-a-madrid/report/389009
