Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Atletico Madrid: 5 things we learned – Brilliant and brittle

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Arsenal hosted Atletico Madrid on Thursday night in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final. Here are five things we learned from the 1-1 draw.

The most important number for Arsenal against Atletico Madrid on Thursday night was the one next to their name. For them, by hook or by crook, come full-time, they needed it to be a zero. Predictably, it wasn’t. Yes, the performance was very good for long periods. Yes, they look as though they can score in the next leg, whatever the stats may stay. But the only stat that counts is not a good one for the Gunners.

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Here are five things we learned from the 1-1 draw.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Diego Simeone, Manager of Atletico Madrid looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Diego Simeone, Manager of Atletico Madrid looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

5. Atletico show game management that Arsenal lack

Before I fully discuss the Arsenal performance, I just want to highlight the difference between these two teams that was on full show here. Irrespective of their defensive talents and trials, just look at the management of the game that each side showed.

Even when they conceded the first goal, Atletico recognised that a one-goal deficit to take back home was not the end of the tie. Certainly, it was not ideal, but it did not negate their chances of a victory over 180 minutes. Contrast that pragmatism to Arsenal, once they had gone one goal to the good and were certainly in the ascendancy of the whole tie.

All they needed to do was see the game out. While they wanted to press for the second goal to extend their victory, the most important stat for the Gunners was the number of goals they conceded. They seemingly weren’t aware of that. It is this game mismanagement that has constantly undermined their efforts. And, again, here we are.