Arsenal Vs Atletico Madrid: Just don’t be stupid

Arsenal will be chasing goals and the game against Atletico Madrid on Thursday night. It is crucial, then, that they are not stupid in doing so as they have been susceptible to in the past.

Arsenal travel to Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night. Thanks to their mismanagement of the first leg of which they had full control with both the goal and numerical advantage, they now need to push the envelope a little.

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Because of Antoine Griezmann’s crucial away goal, the Gunners must do go to Wanda Metropolitano and do something that no team has done since January, 20th: score.

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Yes, Atletico have not conceded a goal at home in 12 games in all competitions. It is quite a record. In fact, they have only conceded four goals at home in La Liga and have conceded more than one at home just twice all year: to Chelsea in the Champions League; to Sevilla in the Copal del Rey. Arsenal, then, have much work to do. It is not inconceivable that they could be thrust into a game-chasing position, one where they must impress themselves on Atletico, push the game forward, and strive for that crucial away goal.

From an attacking point of view, it is something that this team has the tools and the capabilities to do so. The first leg proved as much. A 76% share of the possession; 28 shots, eight of which were on-target. You do not need to look far for proof that this team can at least create good chances against one of the best defences in the world. The problem comes at the other end.

This team does not chase games particularly well. Or, at least, historically, when they go behind in the big games, they have not tended to act sensibly in their efforts to claw their way back into the tie. Take, for instance, the position that Atletico were in in the first leg. A goal down; a man down.

Arsene Wenger would have been demanding his team press forward to try and get the away goal, leaving them exposed at the back, potentially losing the tie before the second leg. Simeone was far more conservative, aware that this is a 180-minute match and that a 1-0 loss in the first leg was not the end of the world.

Now it is Wenger who is in a similar situation. It is his team who must score and it is Simeone’s who can defend their slender lead. It is crucial that they are not stupid in this scenario. Arsenal have 90 minutes to score a goal. They have time. There is no need to recklessly throw bodies forward early in this game.

Next: Arsenal Vs Atletico Madrid: Predicted starting XI

Unfortunately, history suggests that Arsenal will not be so sensible. History says that they will attack with abandon. History says that they will be naive. History says that they will be stupid. Let’s hope that they’ve learned their lesson.