Atlético Madrid's major flaw exposed once again and Arsenal fans will love it

Can Arsenal reach only a second-ever Champions League Final? So far in the knockout phase, the Gunners have ousted Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting CP, but the difficulty level will certainly increase with Atlético Madrd up next in the semi-finals. Los Colchoneros' preparations for this tie have been somewhat different to those of Arteta's team, more on that shortly, and Gooners should certainly take encouragement from Atleti's less than impressive set-piece defending in the last week or so.

Goals Atlético Madrid have conceded (18-25 April)

Atlético Madrid 2-2 Real Sociedad

Ander Barrenetxea 1' - Scored straight from kick off; heading in Gonçalo Guedes' cross.

Mikel Oyarzabal 45' - Penalty converted after goalkeeper Juan Musso punched Guedes in the face.

Elche 3-2 Atlético Madrid

David Affengruber 18' - Second phase of a corner; volley after Tete Morente header.

André Silva 33' - Penalty converted after last man foul by Thiago Almada.

André Silva 75' - Second phase of a corner; side-footed after Affengruber low cross.

Atlético Madrid 3-2 Athletic Club

Aitor Paredes 23' - Header connecting with Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta's corner.

Gorka Guruzeta 90+7' - Header connecting with Alejandro Rego's cross.

Across Atleti's last three matches, they have conceded seven goals, of which five have come from set-pieces and three have been headers. Considering Arsenal broke the all-time Premier League record for most corner goals in a single season against Newcastle on Saturday, 17 and counting, that has to be encouraging.

While every game is must win for Arsenal in the Premier League title race right now, the complete opposite is true for Atlético Madrid, making their recent weeks look rather different. Los Rojiblancos are fourth in La Liga, ten points clear of Real Betis in fifth, but a whopping 25 points adrift run-away leaders Barcelona, the side they've ousted in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

As a result, Diego Simeone deployed heavily rotated XIs for recent away games against Sevilla and Elche, losing both at the hands of relegation threatened teams. This formed part of a four game losing streak, also beaten by Real Madrid at the Bernabéu and when Barcelona visited the Metropolitano, equalling their longest sequence since Simeone's arrival 15 years ago. However, there was a reason behind this.

Simeone has been prioritising cup competitions, with his side having reached a first Copa del Rey Final in 13 years. However, at the Cartuja 11 nights ago, Atleti were beaten in a penalty shootout by Real Sociedad in Seville after a thrilling 2-2 draw. The usually reliable Alexander Sørloth and Julián Álvarez both seeing their attempts from 12 yards saved.

This mass-rotation policy unquestionably helped los Colchoneros oust Barça in the quarter-finals, but Simeone then felt his side clearly needed a week at the weekend. All the big guns were back for Saturday night's 3-2 home win over Athletic Club; Antoine Griezmann equalising, before Sørloth struck twice.

Nevertheless, Atleti are far from water tight at the back, having conceded at least twice in eight of their last nine games, also shipping nine set-piece goals in La Liga this season; only Celta, Valencia, Levante, Oviedo and Real Sociedad have let in more. So, is this a weakness Arsenal can exploit?

Add us as a preferred source on Google