Arsenal
- But Mikel Arteta has made them a different team from the one that Simeone’s men carved up in 2018, when they beat Arsenal 2-1 on aggregate to go on and win the Europa League.
- Arteta’s men have dominated the Premier League this term with around 70 points from 33 games, as opposed to Atlético’s roughly 60 and a +19 goal difference.
- The Arsenal manager has worked hard to make this team a possession-based side that counter-presses the ball in a high-tempo manner.
- Their pressing game can create as much turnover as any in the Premier League and that will be the key to unlocking Atlético’s defense.
Atletico Madrid
- But Diego Simeone’s side have so much experience of big European nights and have the players and spirit to pull off an upset and give themselves a chance of ending their season on a high in Budapest.
- They have the quality to give Arsenal a really tough game and this should be a chess match with the Spanish side, who are normally so compact, getting more room to move on the counterattack because of the way Arteta’s team play.
- Antoine Griezmann has been the heart of Atletico’s attack this year, providing the goals and the experience that Simeone has needed to keep his team competing for Champions League places.
- Simeone’s 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 set up is based around compactness and discipline with an ability to punish teams behind on the break or from set pieces.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal notably beat Atletico 4-0 at the Emirates in the group stage and drew 1-1 in Madrid.
Arsenal
- Martin Ødegaard has been a revelation in the No 10 role, playing the tempo and seeing passes that only he can see.
- Bukayo Saka has been Arsenal’s most dangerous wide player this year, taking on defenders, delivering crosses and always looking for the game-winning pass.
- Eberechi Eze has provided the moments of magic when needed, including the winner at Newcastle last weekend and he can pop up to cause the Atlético defence problems on Tuesday.
Atletico Madrid
- Antoine Griezmann has been the heart of Atletico’s attack this year, providing the goals and the experience that Simeone has needed to keep his team competing for Champions League places.
- Alexander Sørloth’s finishing ability has given them another dimension, as shown by his goal against Athletic when they came back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 and go into the last four.
- They have Jan Oblak, if fit, in goal and the big-game mentality that can get them through in close games like this.
Betting Insights
- The bookmakers have Arsenal as short favourites at 1.69 and Atletico as longshots at 5.49, which looks about right given the Gunners’ home advantage and their 4-0 win at the Emirates in the previous meeting of these sides in this competition.
- Backing Under 2.5 goals at 1.96 and Both Teams to Score: No at 1.8 looks a solid bet here as both sides look to take their chances and keep it tight.
Prediction
Arsenal have the experience and the squad to close it out, either by winning 2-1 or holding Atlético to a 0-0 draw, which would leave the tie level on aggregate.
