Keeping Griezmann quiet holds the key to Arsenal's Europa League hopes at Atletico Madrid

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  • Atletico Madrid and Arsenal clash in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night (11:05pm GST), following last week’s 1-1 draw in North London.

    Both sides have talent all over the pitch but here, we have narrowed down the all-important tactical match-ups that could go a long way to deciding the outcome of the contest.

    Get in touch with your thoughts on the game, too, via Twitter and Facebook.

    TOP MARKSMEN

    Antoine Griezmann v Alexandre Lacazette

    Whether or not Griezmann remains in the Spanish capital next season (providing he doesn’t sign for Real Madrid) is up in the air, but having publicly admitted he will make a call on his future after the World Cup in Russia – speculation hasn’t affected his form.

    He posed a persistent problem for Arsenal’s defence last week, netting a valuable equalising away goal, while also mustering three other efforts, all of which were on target. 27 goals in all competitions this term is a decent return for a man who started the campaign very sluggishly.

    On home soil, he is the man with the magic for the hosts. Griezmann has plundered six goals in his past four run-outs at the Wanda Metropolitano and the visitors can forget their Europa League dream if he isn’t contained.

    Griezmann’s compatriot, Alexandre Lacazette – the man he could play alongside for France this summer – has a huge responsibility on his shoulders given Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied but he did seem to relish that extra weight in the first leg.

    Although the physical test of coming up against Diego Godin made his assignment tough at the Emirates, the ex-Lyon hitman still managed to grab an important goal – his fourth in three matches.

    He registered eight shots on goal last week and made five key passes, demonstrating once again that he is Arsenal’s best hope in this one but only if his team-mates can find him with ball to feet and intricate play around the box.

    Ready for the fight: Alexandre Lacazette.

    THE BATTLE IN THE MIDDLE

    Gabi v Mesut Ozil

    The bulk of Arsenal’s play went through the cultured German in the first leg, and while Jack Wilshere bagged the assist for Lacazette’s opener, the ex-Real Madrid playmaker was a constant thorn in Atleti’s side.

    On Thursday night, the away side will need to pick out their highest-paid player at every opportunity. Last week, Ozil often split the defensive shield of Thomas Partey and Saul Niguez with as many as six key passes. Veteran Gabi, who came off the bench late on in that fixture, will start this time and stand on Ozil’s toes in Madrid. Saul and Koke can also offer younger legs to get about the pitch and restrict his influence.

    Despite his advancing years at 34, club captain Gabi is still the chief lieutenant among Diego Simeone’s ranks and has that ability to create hustle and bustle in the middle and ultimately swing the game in Atletico’s favour. The engine room is likely to be cramped for room and the hosts need someone to garner more possession of the ball, having had just 24 per cent of it at the Emirates.

    Their passing success rate, at just 67 per cent in the first leg, is a number that needs to be higher and Gabi is a man who can make things tick, using all of his experience.

    LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Jack Wilshere of Arsenal is challenged by Angel Correa and Gabi of Atl?tico Madrid 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)

    Gabi came on late in the game in North London.

    THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE

    Diego Godin v Laurent Koscielny

    Godin’s sheer presence in the backline serves as the main identifier to what this Atleti team is all about. The Uruguayan was everywhere in the first leg, making nine clearances, blocking three goalbound shots and putting his body on the line, as ever, for three last-ditch tackles.

    Godin has begun to form a formidable central defence partnership with international team-mate Jose Gimenez, with the former leading the bullish youngster in what is a tough Atleti defence to breach. Indeed, the fact the hosts have conceded just four home goals in La Liga all season and not lost a European fixture in their own backyard in 17 matches, can be attributed to the consistency of Godin and his defensive colleagues.

    For Arsenal skipper Koscielny, the story has been a bit different. The 32-year-old will no doubt still be having nightmares from last Thursday. Griezmann shrugged off his fellow Frenchman with ease to slot Atleti’s equaliser and that added further credence to those who believe Arsenal need a real shake-up in defence next season.

    Failure to keep Griezmann quiet again is likely to prove fatal. While it’s not just down to Koscielny, with Shkodran Mustafi needing arguably his biggest performance in an Arsenal shirt to date, the spotlight is on the long-term Arsenal star following that gaffe.

    Atletico Madrid's French striker Antoine Griezmann (L) vies with Arsenal's French defender Laurent Koscielny on his way to scoring their first goal during the UEFA Europa League first leg semi-final football match between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 26, 2018. - The game finished 1-1. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

    Laurent Koscielny tussles with compatriot Antoine Griezmann.

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