Europa League Draw 2017-18: Schedule of Dates for Semi-Final Fixtures

Arsenal will take on Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League as they look to keep their chances of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League alive.

In Friday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland, the second semi-final was confirmed as Marseille against Red Bull Salzburg.

The first legs of both semi-finals will be played on Thursday, April 26, with the second legs scheduled for Thursday, May 3.

Arsenal were likely hoping to avoid Atleti given that Diego Simeone's side are arguably the best outfit remaining in the competition.

They also boast enormous European pedigree having won the Europa League in 2010 and 2012 and reached the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016.

Over two legs, Arsenal face a tough task to down one of the most clinical and robust teams in Europe, per Agence France-Presse's Tom Allnut:

Salzburg launched a remarkable comeback to make it through to the last four.

Trailing 4-2 from the first leg, the Austrian champions went 1-0 behind against Lazio in Thursday's second leg at the Red Bull Arena after Ciro Immobile's 55th-minute goal.

Four goals from the hosts in 20 minutes turned the game on its head, though, and Salzburg should take huge confidence into their clash with Marseille.

The French outfit, currently fourth in Ligue 1, thrashed RB Leipzig 5-2 on Thursday to seal their spot in the semis with a 5-3 aggregate victory.