{"id":1242,"date":"2018-04-13T09:08:34","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T14:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=1242"},"modified":"2018-04-14T09:09:59","modified_gmt":"2018-04-14T14:09:59","slug":"arsenal-face-tough-test-against-atletico-in-europa-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=1242","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal Face Tough Test Against Atl\u00e9tico in Europa League"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Arsenal have been drawn against favourites Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Europa League.<\/p>\n

The Gunners came from 2-0 down to draw the second leg of their quarter-final at CSKA Moscow 2-2 on Thursday night, progressing 6-3 on aggregate against the Russian side.<\/p>\n

The other semi-final will be between French club Marseille and Austrian outfit Salzburg, who advanced following fine comeback wins over RB Leipzig and Lazio respectively.<\/p>\n

The first legs will be played on April 26, with the second legs on May 3.<\/p>\n

Atletico progressed at the expense of Sporting Lisbon, despite a 1-0 defeat in Portugal on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n

Diego Simeone’s side are currently second in LaLiga behind runaway leaders Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Speaking after Thursday’s match in Moscow, when at one point Arsenal had been a goal away from elimination, manager Arsene Wenger admitted he would prefer to avoid Atletico.<\/p>\n

“Looking at all the results as a whole picture in Europe this week, you would say that teams have become closer and the games are very open and everything is possible in every single game,” Wenger said.<\/p>\n

“Everybody speaks about Atletico Madrid that they look the strongest team on paper, but you must say when you look at the results that Salzburg have done again… I am from France and Marseille are in there as well and that is always a difficult place to go… maybe it is better that I don’t wish for anybody.”<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>