'Oh dear Arsenal, It didn't need to end like this'!
 

Arsenal 1-1 Atletico Madrid: Draw at Emirates Stadium :news: (April 26 2018)

Antoine Griezmann's strike eight minutes from time gave 10-man Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Europa League semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Alexandre Lacazette's third goal in as many Europa League games gave Arsene Wenger's side the lead in the 61st minute.

Atletico’s Sime Vrsaljko had been dismissed early on, but poor defending allowed Griezmann to score a vital away goal on the counter-attack.

The LaLiga outfit, who saw manager Diego Simeone sent to the stands moments after Vrsaljko's dismissal, are strong favourites heading into the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano next Thursday.

Arsenal, who dominated the ball throughout the evening, came close to recovering from Griezmann's late intervention but Jan Oblak sprung to his right to dramatically keep out Aaron Ramsey's header.

Post-match reaction

Danny Welbeck admitted Arsenal were frustrated at conceding a late away goal.

He said on BT Sport: "It's disappointing to take the lead and then to concede a goal right near the end. We are disappointed with that.

"We've got to try and make sure that doesn't happen again."

The hosts had a succession of chances early in the game, but were unable to make them count.

"There were opportunities there for us to score, (we're) disappointed with that," said Welbeck. "It gives us a little bit of positivity going into the second leg, knowing we can create chances against a great side.

"We know we can score against them, we did it tonight. We're positive going into that game."

Asked if the chance to win a first European trophy for Arsene Wenger in his final season was an added motivation for the players, Welbeck added: "Seeing him at the end lift the trophy would be the icing on the cake, but we don't need that extra incentive."

On the result, Alexandre Lacazette said: "We wanted to win tonight, but we need a great result next week."

Wenger admitted seeing victory snatched away in such a manner was a kick in the teeth.

"I think looking at the performance and the way the game went it was the worst possible result for us," the Arsenal boss said on BT Sport.

"We have to go there in a positive mood and qualify over there.

"Unfortunately we gave a goal away from nowhere."

Wenger agreed the first leg felt like an opportunity missed.

"Once we score the 1-0, even if we did not score again it was important not to concede," he said.

Asked how confident he was that Arsenal would still progress to the final in Lyon, he added: "How doesn't matter. What matters is we go there with absolute belief to do it."