Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal Vs Atetico Madrid: 5 key players to watch — Stage is set

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
SEVILLE, SPAIN – JANUARY 23: Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid reacts during the Copa del Rey, Quarter Final, second Leg match between Sevilla FC and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on January 23, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN – JANUARY 23: Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid reacts during the Copa del Rey, Quarter Final, second Leg match between Sevilla FC and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on January 23, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) /

4. Diego Godin

There might not be a player who better defines the Diego Simeone era of Atletico Madrid than Diego Godin. A player very much branded in the image of his manager, Godin is a hard-nosed, tough, obstinate defender who leads by example, marshalls those around him, and demonstrates a rare reading and understanding the game that allows the success of such a deep defensive line.

The Uruguayan international is now 32. He is not quite in his prime anymore. But that does not make him any less integral to the make-up of this Madrid side. He has played over 3000 minutes in all competitions this season and regularly ranks highly in clearances per game, blocks per game, and interceptions per game.

But these defensive actions only tell half the story. While Godin is an excellent defender in and of himself, it is the organisational qualities that he brings to Madrid that make them such a defensively sound team. He is always communicating with those around him, he barks instructions, he knows the role and responsibility of every single player, and he ensures that they remain disciplined in their duty. Godin will make life hard for Arsenal, that much is for sure. Breaking him and Atletico down will not be easy.