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
4 of 5
Next
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 05: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid strikes the ball during the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Club Atletico Madrid and Sporting CP at Wanda Metropolitano stadium on April 5, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Antoine Griezmann
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 05: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid strikes the ball during the UEFA Europa League quarter final leg one match between Club Atletico Madrid and Sporting CP at Wanda Metropolitano stadium on April 5, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Antoine Griezmann /

2. Antoine Griezmann

There might not be a better player on the pitch on Thursday night than Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman is a truly wonderful footballer. Quick across the ground, direct in his dribbling, creative in his distribution, clinical in his finishing. There is little that the razor-sharp attacker cannot do. There is also little that Atletico can do without him.

While this is far from a one-man team, Griezmann is the undoubted key threat that Madrid pose. He is central to everything that they do, playing in a free-roaming role behind the central striker, afforded the license to drift throughout the pitch, picking up those pockets of space that he can explode out of so dramatically on the counter.

If Arsenal can keep a handle on Griezmann, then they have a chance to contain this Atletico attack. Now, that is a very big if. Many better teams have tried and failed on that front. But it is the speed and directness of Griezmann in his carrying of the ball that could unhinge the Gunners. That is certainly what scares me the most.