ARSENAL face a tough tie against Spanish side Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals.
Arsene Wenger’s side progressed last night after beating CSKA Moscow 6-3 on aggregate.
The official result of the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League semi-final draw!
Who are you backing to go all the way? ?#UELdraw pic.twitter.com/PwwONjqyWn
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 13, 2018
Wenger suggested his side showed a hint of complacency as they were made to fight for their place in the semi-finals having fallen two goals behind.
The Gunners were boasting a 4-1 lead from the opening leg but found themselves deservedly behind on the night as Fedor Chalov and Kirill Nababkin pounced on Petr Cech parries to put the hosts within touching distance of an unlikely turnaround.
Danny Welbeck halted the comeback with a well-taken goal on 75 minutes, Arsenal’s first shot on target on the night.
Aaron Ramsey then scored in stoppage time to seal a 2-2 draw, sending Arsenal through on aggregate.
It was a much nervier night than the Gunners would have anticipated and Wenger put that down to the margin of victory from the first leg.
“You could see when you have a big difference after the first game it is difficult to turn up with the same urgency than if the difference is very small and that played a part in the first half,” he said.
Arsenal’s route to the semi-finals
- Group stage: Topped group containing Red Star Belgrade, Cologne and BATE Borisov winning four games
- Round of 32: Beat Swedish side Ostersund 3-0 away and 2-1 at home
- Round of 16: Beat AC Milan 5-1 on aggregate, including a 2-0 win at the San Siro
- Quarter-finals: Beat CSKA Moscow 4-1 at the Emirates and drew 2-2 in Russia for a 6-3 aggregate victory
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