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Many expect Man City to now pip Arsenal to the post for the Premier League title again. Therefore, the Champions League could now be the Gunners' best chance of silverware this season. They must get past Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals first, with the first leg tonight. Here are three players who need to step up.
3 Arsenal players who desperately need to prove a point against Atletico Madrid
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke had a difficult start to his Arsenal career, with Gunners fans on social media petitioning against the signing of him from Chelsea. Whilst a knee injury disrupted him at the start of the season, his Premier League form has been mixed.
His output in the division has not been good enough, with just two goals and one assist in 23 matches. However, his return in the Champions League has been much better, finding the back of the net three times with one assist in just seven games. This included a goal against Bayern Munich.
Bukayo Saka returned from injury as a substitute at the weekend in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Newcastle United. Therefore, Madueke's position in the team is under threat if he does not step up soon. Making a mark against Atletico Madrid, who are known for being resolute defensively under Diego Simeone, is the perfect way for Madueke to make a statement.
Viktor Gyökeres
Viktor Gyökeres was never going to be as prolific for Arsenal as he was for Sporting CP. Last season, he scored 39 goals in 33 games in the Portuguese league. This campaign, he has found the back of the net just 12 times in 32 matches, but English soccer is a massive step up.
Gyokeres also scored six goals in eight Champions League games for Sporting last season. This included a hat-trick against Manchester City. This campaign, with the Gunners, he has not been quite so prolific, scoring four goals in 10 games in the competition.
However, he did score a brace against Atletico in the group stage. The Gunners won that game 4-0, and will need Gyokeres to be in form if they are to win convincingly again.
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli was also on the scoresheet when the Gunners thrashed Atletico earlier in the season. He has been on form in the Champions League, scoring six times in 11 matches. Whilst he has found the back of the net just once in 28 Premier League games this campaign.
The Brazilian has been in and out of the Arsenal team recently, with Mikel Arteta also using Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard on the left wing. Martinelli has a good opportunity to prove a point against Atletico in a competition in which he has performed well this season tonight.
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