The Europa League provides Arsene Wenger with an opportunity to bow out on a high, but La Liga giants are blocking his path at the semi-final stage
Arsenal will continue their quest for Europa League glory against Atletico Madrid, with the first leg of their semi-final encounter set to take place at Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
The Gunners are looking to continental competition to provide them with major silverware, a route into the Champions League and a fitting send-off for Arsene Wenger.
Atletico, though, have every intention of spoiling the party and making their own way to the final in Lyon, with Diego Simeone's side seeking to recapture a crown they last secured in 2012.
Start Time
Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, London, with kick-off time scheduled for 21:05 CET on Thursday, April 26.
Team News
Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette will continue up front in the Europa League as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied for Arsenal.
Jack Wilshere has missed Arsenal's last two matches but has since returned to training. Mesut Ozil and Petr Cech are also back in training.
Mohamed Elneny suffered ankle ligament damage at the weekend and is out for the rest of the season.
Missing players: Elneny, Cazorla, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang
Atletico Madrid
Diego Godín, Koke and Antoine Griezmann were all held back at the weekend and will start here.
Diego Costa has missed Atletico Madrid's last three matches due to hamstring complains but has travelled with the squad.
Juanfran will also be sidelined for the away side due to a hamstring problem, but Diego Simeone can at least call upon Sime Vrsaljko at right-back.
Gabi and Thomas Partey are in competition for a starting berth in midfield on Thursday.
Missing players: Filipe, Juanfran, Costa
Probable Line-ups
What Managers Say
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
Having announced he will leave Arsenal at the end of the season, the Europa League is Wenger's final chance to win a major trophy at the club.
The Frenchman admitted it would be an "anti-climax" were the Gunners not to do so.
"That's why we want to give our absolute all to have a chance of going to the final," he added.
On facing Atletico, Wenger said: "I would say one of their strengths is that they have no obvious weakness.
"They are a very efficient team and a team who can use every weak moment of their opponent."
Diego Simeone (Atletico)
Diego Simeone has not spoken to Arsenal about the prospect of replacing Arsene Wenger and insists he is happy at Atletico Madrid as the sides prepare for a keenly anticipated Europa League semi-final.
Speaking at a pre-match news conference, the Argentine maintained such a move was not on the agenda and added his voice to numerous plaudits the 68-year-old Frenchman has enjoyed over recent days.
"No, I haven't spoken with anyone at Arsenal," he said. "I love it at Atletico.
"The first thing that comes to mind [regarding Wenger] is admiration. He's had to reinvent himself.
"I see myself as a young coach and I want to observe and learn from him. The position he has occupied in football is wonderful."
Match Preview
Arsenal reached the knockout stages of the Europa League after topping their group, with Ostersund seen off at the round of 32, AC Milan in the last 16 and CSKA Moscow at the quarter-final stage.
Atletico, meanwhile, dropped into the competition after slipping out of the Champions League, with FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow and Sporting CP overcome so far.
The two sides are set to meet in continental action for the first time on Thursday, although the Gunners did run out 2-1 winners during an Emirates Cup clash back in 2009.
Arsenal have never lifted the Europa League/UEFA Cup, so are looking to make history, while Atletico claimed the trophy on two occasions in the space of three years between 2010 and 2012.
Both sides boast plenty of international stars on their books, so there is the potential for an action-packed encounter between two heavyweight outfits.
Wenger has said: "It is a Champions League game because it is two teams who have Champions League level. We will need to be at our best to have a chance."
After seeing his side beaten 3-0 at Real Sociedad recently, Simeone told reporters on the issues facing his side on their travels: "We have to take a good look at our away form and be more alert and attentive because we are letting ourselves down on the road."
Key Stats
- This is the first meeting between these sides - Atletico will be the 10th Spanish side the Gunners have faced in Europe.
- Arsenal are appearing in their eighth European semi-final - they have progressed from six of the previous seven.
- This will be Atletico's third Europa League semi-final, winning over two legs against Liverpool in 2009-10 and Valencia in 2011-12 to reach the final.
- Arsenal have scored 29 goals in the Europa League this season, more than any other side.
- Atletico Madrid have scored 15 goals in their six Europa League games this season, giving them the best goals-per-game average in the competition (2.5).
- Arsene Wenger will face his 125th different opponent as Arsenal boss - he has only lost his first match against 10 of the previous 124.
- Mesut Ozil had a hand in five goals in seven starts against Atletico in all competitions (4 goals, 1 assist) when he played for Real Madrid.
- Diego Costa has scored three goals in six matches against Arsenal (all for Chelsea).
- Diego Simeone is yet to lose an away European match in England as Atletico manager (W1 D2).