Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info for Europa League

Arsenal welcome Atletico Madrid to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final.

The two clubs look to be the strongest teams left in the competition, and whoever makes it through will fancy their chances of lifting the trophy at the Stade de Lyon on May 16.

Here's a look at how you can watch the game, followed by team news and a match preview.

Date: Thursday, April 26

Time: 8:05 p.m. BST/3:05 p.m. ET

TV: BT Sport 2 (UK), Fox Sports 1 (USA)

Live Stream: BT Sport Player, WatchESPN, Fox Sports Go

Team News

Arsenal have injury concerns ahead of the first leg, with midfielder Mohamed Elneny out with ankle ligament damage, per the club's official website.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also missing with a knee problem, while midfielders Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil are doubts, per Mattias Karen at ESPN FC. The Gunners will also have to make do without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is ineligible. 

Atletico Madrid will be without some key players, although Diego Costa may not be one of them. Manager Diego Simeone had said he had "no chance" of playing in the first leg due to a hamstring injury, per Richard Cooke at Sky Sports, but AS noted the former Chelsea man is among the travelling party.

Defender Juanfran will miss both games against Arsenal after he was forced off in the draw with Real Betis on Sunday, per Ainhoa Sanchez at Marca. Sime Vrsaljko replaced the defender during the game and should keep his place on Thursday.

Filipe Luis remains sidelined after suffering a broken leg in the Europa League clash against Lokomotiv Moscow in March.

Can Arsenal Win it for Wenger?

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Thursday's game represents manager Arsene Wenger's final European home game in charge of Arsenal after he announced on Friday he would step down at the end of the season.

The Frenchman can still sign off in style by winning the Europa League and with it UEFA Champions League football for next season, but the team face their toughest test yet on Thursday.

The Gunners are the competition's top scorers but are also still to keep a clean sheet in the knockout stages. Given Atletico's formidable home record, denying the visitors an away goal could prove crucial.

Wenger's impending departure after 22 years may serve as extra motivation for the Arsenal players.

Midfielder Granit Xhaka has urged his team-mates to win it for the manager, per journalist Pete O'Rourke:

The Gunners will need to be at their best if they are to deny Atletico. Simeone's side are second in La Liga and have the best defence in the Spanish top flight.

The form of Alexandre Lacazette will give Arsenal hope, as the Frenchman has rediscovered his goalscoring touch since returning from knee surgery. He also seems to prefer playing at home, as shown by Match of the Day:

Defensively, there will also need to be improvements as Arsenal have leaked goals in Europe. Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi have looked shaky, and even if Costa does not play for Atleti, they still have plenty of firepower in Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa and Vitolo.

Simeone Hints at Tactical Switch

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Atletico head to London on a run of just one win in their last five games, and Simeone has said he could change from his usual 4-4-2 formation for the game. 

"I may use three central defenders in London, why not?" he said, per James Benge at the Evening Standard.

The Atleti boss has a small squad, and injury problems may mean he has few options, as noted by Dermot Corrigan at ESPN FC:

Atletico will still be disciplined, committed and well-organised, and if they can keep a clean sheet at the Emirates Stadium, they will return to Spain confident of reaching the final. The La Liga side have not conceded a goal at home in the Europa League this season.

With Costa's participation uncertain, Atletico will look to Griezmann to provide the goals. The Frenchman has three in five games in the tournament and 26 for the season. 

The France international should also be well-rested after starting Sunday's draw with Betis on the bench and only appearing after 63 minutes.