Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info for Europa League
Arsenal face a tough test overcoming Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday.
Atletico have the advantage thanks to Antoine Griezmann's away goal, after his equaliser earned 10-man Atleti a 1-1 draw from the first leg in north London.
The result was positive, but manager Diego Simeone's team may be buoyed by the return of striker Diego Costa, who was only fit enough for a place on the substitutes bench in the first leg.
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Meanwhile, Atletico right-back Sime Vrasljko is suspended following the red card he received after 10 minutes last time out. Simeone was subsequently sent to the stands for his aggressive protests toward the decisions of referee Clement Turpin.
As for the Gunners, there are doubts about the fitness of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who missed the first leg with a knee injury. Goalkeeper David Ospina is also a doubt.
Here are the schedule and viewing details before a preview and look at the team news:
Date: Thursday, May 3
Time: 8:05 p.m. GMT/3:05 p.m. ET
TV Info: BT Sport 2, Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: BT Sport App, fubo Premier
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is targeting the right sendoff to his 22-year tenure by winning this competition and returning the Gunners to the UEFA Champions League.
His task will be complicated if Mkhitaryan, a goalscorer during the club's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, misses out.
Speaking after losing at Old Trafford, Wenger provided updates on both Mkhitaryan and Ospina, per Goal's Kris Voakes:
If Ospina is unavailable, Petr Cech will return between the sticks. The 35-year-old stopper is Wenger's first-choice for league matches, but he may be needed to start for just the fourth time in this European campaign.
More injury problems for Mkhitaryan would rob the Gunners of a player with an eye for a pass and a scoring touch to undermine Atletico's formidable defence. At least Wenger won't be short of fresh creative options, not when Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere were rested for the trip to Manchester.
One attacking midfielder who may not be available is Alex Iwobi, with the 21-year-old dealing with a hamstring issue, per Goal's Tolu Olasoji. Even without Iwobi though, Arsenal will have enough craft to support striker Alexandre Lacazette, who scored in the first leg, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains ineligible.
The bigger concern is whether a shaky Gunners back line will be able to keep Griezmann and Costa quiet. Costa used to torment Arsenal during his Chelsea days and made his comeback from injury to start in the 1-0 win over Alaves in La Liga on Sunday.
Simeone's side also has a formidable defensive record at home, having "conceded just four goals on their own patch in La Liga all season and none in three Europa League games to date." per BT Sport.
However, Real Madrid TV commentator Alex Kirkland offered the Gunners some hope:
Ultimately, the return of Costa should prove decisive against an Arsenal side facing being left to rue not making more of their man advantage and dominance during the first leg.
