Antoine Griezmann's crucial strike at the Emirates Stadium has given Los Colchoneros a slender advantage courtesy of the away goals rule, but it must be said that the Gunners had the better of the first leg following Sime Vrsaljko's red card.
Arsenal will look to mark Arsene Wenger's final season in charge of the club with a triumph in the Europa League, but in order to do that they must overcome Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano with Diego Simeone confirming that it will be a match played with the heart.
"There are matches that are played with the heart, and this is one of them," he explained in his pre-match press conference. "We need a stadium that explodes, that is passionate and supportive, the team needs that. "We're facing a dangerous opponent and it will be a beautiful match."
Despite their late defensive horror show in the first leg, Arsenal created a lot of chances and should have really taken advantage of Los Rojiblancos being down to 10 men, although Simeone is confident his team won't take anything for granted.
"Arsenal have great players and a fantastic coach," he admitted. "With players like Ozil between the lines they are dangerous, they also have a lot of speed in the final third. "On their good days, they play beautifully and their wingers give them options, Arsenal are a very good team."
Thomas Partey has spent much of the season at right back, and with Juanfran and Vrsaljko both set to be absent on Thursday, the midfielder will likely be asked to play in a utility role yet again, although the Argentine coach is confident.
"Thomas' position on the flank is considered more of a wing-back than a normal full back," he confirmed. "Lucas' position on the left is more closed, whilst Vitolo and Thomas are different because they can be more creative. "Every single one of us needs to give our best, we must forget about individual ambitions and think about the good of the group."
Source: marca
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