Post by staggerstag on Apr 26, 2018 19:16:07 GMT
Costa on the bench after fitness test.
Arsenal: Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Xhaka, Wilshere; Welbeck, Özil; Lacazette.
Subs : Cech, Holding, Iwobi, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac, Nketiah.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Lucas; Correa, Saúl Niguez, Partey, Koke; Gameiro, Griezmann.
Subs : Werner, Torres, Gabi, Savic, Diego Costa, Vitolo, Olabe.
Preamble by Simon Burnton :
Arsenal: Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Xhaka, Wilshere; Welbeck, Özil; Lacazette.
Subs : Cech, Holding, Iwobi, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac, Nketiah.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Lucas; Correa, Saúl Niguez, Partey, Koke; Gameiro, Griezmann.
Subs : Werner, Torres, Gabi, Savic, Diego Costa, Vitolo, Olabe.
Preamble by Simon Burnton :
Twenty-two years, and it comes down to this. Arsène Wenger’s long stint as Arsenal manager will end in glory if it concludes with victory in a major European success, or it will end disappointingly if they remain trophy-free. With the other semi-final featuring Marseille, fourth in Ligue 1, and the Austrian league leaders Red Bull Salzburg, whoever comes through this tie will head to Lyon for the final as strong favourites, and Wenger admits it will be an “anti-climax” if it is not them.
“I just want to do as well as I can because this team has quality,” Wenger said. “These guys – I’ve seen them this season be challenged mentally. I’ve always seen them respond in a positive way and I think this group of players deserves something special. I want to do it for them, to achieve something with them because I feel they have a special mental quality.”
Diego Simeone, who having been appointed by Atlético six and a half years ago is already a third of the way to having been in his job for still quite a bit less than Wenger has, spoke pre-match of his admiration for the French tactician. “I see myself as quite a young coach still,” he said. “I want to observe and learn from him and the best word is admiration when you look at the career Wenger has had. We are both coaches and it is very difficult to stay at this level as you’re always competing and putting yourself on the line.”
It’s a big game, then. Not just a season, but a reputation is on the line. Let’s enjoy it together. Illuminating pre-match pointer dept: Arsenal and Atlético have only ever met in the Emirates Cup, the Gunners’ annual pre-season shindig which doesn’t really count. Arsenal won 2-1.
“I just want to do as well as I can because this team has quality,” Wenger said. “These guys – I’ve seen them this season be challenged mentally. I’ve always seen them respond in a positive way and I think this group of players deserves something special. I want to do it for them, to achieve something with them because I feel they have a special mental quality.”
Diego Simeone, who having been appointed by Atlético six and a half years ago is already a third of the way to having been in his job for still quite a bit less than Wenger has, spoke pre-match of his admiration for the French tactician. “I see myself as quite a young coach still,” he said. “I want to observe and learn from him and the best word is admiration when you look at the career Wenger has had. We are both coaches and it is very difficult to stay at this level as you’re always competing and putting yourself on the line.”
It’s a big game, then. Not just a season, but a reputation is on the line. Let’s enjoy it together. Illuminating pre-match pointer dept: Arsenal and Atlético have only ever met in the Emirates Cup, the Gunners’ annual pre-season shindig which doesn’t really count. Arsenal won 2-1.