Fans should be encouraged about Arsenal's final chances after Atlético Madrid draw

20 years on from their first, Arsenal have moved a step closer to returning to a Champions League Final. Wednesday night's first leg at the Metropolitano was a tale of two penalties, as well as one that scandalously never took place. Of the spot-kicks that did occur, Viktor Gyökeres emphatically converted on the cusp of half-time before, a short while later, Julián Álvarez did so into the same net with similar levels of power, as the match finished level in the Spanish capital.

Most of the discussion in the away section high in the stand after full time revolved around one simple question: "Happy with that result?". Fair to say, there was a wide range of mixed responses to this simple query, but history suggests that a draw in the first leg of a European tie away from home leaves the Gunners in a very strong position to progress.

Arsenal's European ties when drawing the first leg away

Champions League last 16 2026: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal. Won 3-1 on aggregate.

Europa League last 16 2023: Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal. Lost 5-4 on penalties.

Europa League last 32 2021: Benfica 1-1 Arsenal. Won 4-3 on aggregate*.

Champions League play-off 2014: Beşiktaş 0-0 Arsenal. Won 1-0 on aggregate.

Champions League quarter-final 2009: Villarreal 1-1 Arsenal. Won 4-1 on aggregate.

Champions League quarter-final 2004: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal. Lost 3-2 on aggregate.

Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final 1994: Torino 0-0 Arsenal. Won 1-0 on aggregate.

Cup Winners' Cup semi-final 1994: PSG 1-1 Arsenal. Won 2-1 on aggregate.

European Cup second round 1991: Benfica 1-1 Arsenal. Lost 4-2 after extra time.

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup first round 1970: Lazio 2-2 Arsenal. Won 4-2 on aggregate.

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup third round 1969: Rouen CP 0-0 Arsenal. Won 1-0 on aggregate.

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup second round 1969: Sporting CP 0-0 Arsenal. Won 3-0 on aggregate.

*Note; both legs were played at neutral venues in Rome and Piraeus due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Throughout Arsenal's history, they have drawn the first leg of a European tie on 12 occasions and progressed through nine of them, including four of the last five. Most recently, Kai Havertz's late spot-kick salvaged a 1-1 draw at the BayArena in March, before Mikel Arteta's team took care of Bayer Leverkusen back in North London a week later.

Their only defeats have come against Benfica in the European Cup in 1991, the heartbreaking Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea during the Invincible season, and a Europa League tie against Sporting three years ago, drawing both legs, before exiting on penalties.

Of course, historical data such as this is slightly skewed by the removal of the away goals rule in 2021, making a 1-1 on the road not quite as valuable as it once was. Nevertheless, Wednesday night's draw with Atleti should be viewed as a positive step towards the final in Budapest.

Under Arteta, the Gunners have won 14 of 17 Champions League home matches, scoring 43 goals in total, beaten only once, this at the same stage last season when Paris Saint-Germain came to town. Álvarez's spot-kick lashed past Raya, which was also only the sixth time they've conceded in 13 European matches to date this season, two of which were scored by Kairat during a dead-rubber.

One of these home victories, of course, was the 4-0 demolition of Atlético Madrid during this year's league phase, fair to say, everyone would agree that a repeat scoreline next Tuesday would be a good result! It is unlikely to be that easy again, but this is a Champions League semi-final, it is not supposed to be straightforward. Given that context, Arsenal are in a great position to be at the Puskás Aréna on 30 May. Now, as Arteta said himself, the team need to "make it happen".

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