After the first Champions League semi-final matches, it's time for the Europa League. The most anticipated match is between London's "Arsenal" and Madrid's "Atletico", which will start tonight at 22:05. It is clear that "Atletico" will play in the Champions League next season, but the struggling "Arsenal" only has one possible way to qualify for the strongest league on the continent - they need to win the Europa League. There is also a big incentive for this, as after 22 years Arsene Wenger is stepping down from the coaching position. "This is like a Champions League night. We are fighting for a place there. These are teams that are used to playing in the Champions League. We need a good result, but nothing will be decided after the first match. They have no weaknesses: they are strong both in attack and defense. We need to perform well everywhere," said A. Wenger. The road to the semi-finals "Arsenal" started the season in the Europa League and topped the group stage, leaving behind Belgrade's "Red Star", "Cologne" and BATE. In the Round of 32, "Arsenal" faced the Swedish team "Ostersund". In the first match, they won 3-0, but in the second match the English team lost 1-2. In the quarter-finals, "Arsenal" defeated their opponents more easily than expected. Facing "AC Milan", the "Gunners" won the first match 2-0, and the second 3-1. The team did not face many problems in the quarter-finals either. In the first match, "Arsenal" beat Moscow's CSKA 4-1, and in the return leg, they drew 2-2. Meanwhile, "Atletico" started the season in the Champions League, finishing third and dropping to the Europa League. "Atletico" was surpassed by "Roma" and London's "Chelsea". In the Round of 32, "Atletico" easily beat "Copenhagen" with an aggregate score of 5-1. In the quarter-finals, things were also smooth for the Madrid team. In the first match against Moscow's "Lokomotiv", they won 3-0, and in the second leg, they won 5-1. However, in the quarter-finals, "Atletico" had to work harder. The Spaniards won the first match against "Sporting" 2-0, but lost the return leg 0-1. However, this did not stop them from advancing to the next stage. Team news On Wednesday evening, Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech, and Jack Wilshere were preparing for the match. All three players missed the Sunday match against "West Ham." Sead Kolasinac also missed the match. M. Ozil was sick, P. Cech had a minor hand injury, and J. Wilshere and S. Kolasinac had ankle problems. Mohamed Elneny will definitely not participate in the match, as he was taken off on a stretcher due to an ankle ligament injury. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also not expected to play in the first leg, but he may appear in the return match in Madrid. "Atletico" received good news before the match. Doctors gave Diego Costa permission to travel to London and play after he suffered a hamstring injury. However, Filipe Luis and Juanfran will not be able to help the Madrid team. Team results The "Arsenal" team has been struggling a bit lately. Despite the 4-1 victory against "West Ham" at the weekend, the London team previously lost 1-2 to "Newcastle" and drew 2-2 with Moscow's CSKA. However, before the draw with CSKA, "Arsenal" had won six consecutive matches. Meanwhile, "Atletico" also displays their best form. In the last five matches, "Atletico" lost twice and played two draws. They had to admit defeat to "Real Sociedad" (0-3) and "Sporting" (0-1). The Madrid team also drew with "Real Betis" and Madrid's "Real". The only victory in the last five matches was against "Levante" with a score of 3-0. Predicted starting lineups "Arsenal": Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Xhaka; Welbeck, Wilshere, Ozil; Lacazette "Atletico": Oblak; Vrsaljko, Savic, Godin, Hernandez; Correa, Partey, Niguez, Koke, Griezmann, Gameiro Interesting facts This will be the first match between the two teams. "Atletico" will be the 10th different opponent from Spain that "Arsenal" has faced in the Europa League. For "Arsenal", this will be their eighth semi-final in the strongest European leagues. Of the last seven, "Arsenal" reached the final six times. In the 2008-09 season, "Arsenal" was knocked out in the Champions League semi-finals by "Manchester United". This will be "Atletico's" third semi-final in the Europa League. They previously managed to beat "Liverpool" and "Valencia" and reach the final. The "Arsenal" team has scored 29 goals in the Europa League season, which is the best result in all competitions. This will be Arsene Wenger's 125th opponent as "Arsenal" coach. Of the last 124 opponents, he lost the first match only 10 times. Against the last eight new opponents, "Arsenal" won the first match. Diego Costa has scored three goals against "Arsenal" in seven matches (with "Chelsea").
