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) /

2. The tie is not over

Arsenal will not find their way through to the final without scoring in Madrid. Griezmann’s away goal confirmed that. That is extremely concerning given Atletico’s defensive record at home: they have conceded just four goals in La Liga at home; they haven’t conceded a home goal in the Europa League; they have conceded a home goal in any competition since January. But that does not mean that this tie is over.

The reasons for hope may be a little shaky. Much of it rests on the performance here, not the character of the respective teams, not the statistics of form, not the individuals of each respective squad. But that does not mean that this tie is over.

Arsenal showed that they can score against Atletico. I believe that they can score again, however unlikely the statistics may suggest that is. Yes, Arsene Wenger’s side should be in a much better position than they are, but that does not mean that this tie is over just yet.