This is not the first time these two clubs have faced off in a European knockout tie. The most recent occasion came during the 2018 semi-final of the Europa League.
In a matchup between Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid and an Arsenal side in its final season under Arsene Wenger, the teams drew 1-1 in the first leg at Emirates Stadium.
Antoine Griezmann equalised in the 81st minute after Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring, the leveller a massive goal for the visitors, who played most of the match with 10 men following Sime Vrsaljko’s second booking after just 10 minutes.
Arsenal dominated possession, while Simeone was also sent off in the first half — earning him a suspension for the rest of the tie.
Diego Costa then scored the winner for Atletico in first-half stoppage time of the second leg at the Estadio Metropolitano.
Atletico went on to win the Europa League final in Paris the following month, defeating Marseille 3-0. This time, it’s Arsenal with the second-leg home advantage after a 1-1 draw on the road.
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