Griezmann bags crucial away goal for 10-man Atletico in Arsenal draw

Arsenal left themselves with a tough task to do in a week’s time as they let a lead slip to 10-man Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
Even taking into account their 80-minute numerical advantage, this was one of Arsenal’s best team displays of the campaign as a loud Emirates Stadium crowd saw Alexandre Lacazette head them in front following a largely-dominant hour of the tie.

But, as with many of Arsenal’s recent campaigns, there was to be a late sting in the tail as defensive deficiencies were laid bare to all to see as Antoine Griezmann sealed a 1-1 draw with a late equaliser.
Before Lacazette’s opener, Madrid were holding out for a goalless draw to take back to the Spanish capital for next Thursday’s second-leg as Sime Vrsaljko was sent off early on, followed swiftly by manager Diego Simeone.

As the Atleti coach watched the remainder of the contest from the directors’ box, Wenger afforded himself a wry smile as Lacazette – so nearly turning out for the visitors tonight – eventually broke the deadlock.

This was Wenger’s final home European tie in charge after he announced last week he will step down in the summer after over 21 years in charge but it ended in now familiar disappointment.
Arsenal were at it from the off, Danny Welbeck crossing for Lacazette, whose shot into the ground came off the outside of the post with Jan Oblak beaten.

The highly-rated Slovenian stopper was called into action moments later as he pushed away a close-range Lacazette header following a smart Nacho Monreal cross.
Atleti’s slow start was only compounded by Vrsaljko’s early sending off, the right-back booked after just 90 seconds for fouling Jack Wilshere before being given his marching orders for a foul on Lacazette with barely 10 minutes played.

Simeone was incredulous on the touchline and was dismissed by French referee Clement Turpin shortly afterwards for another over-the-top reaction to a Hector Bellerin foul.