Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette was on target for the Gunners in the game, while his international teammate Antoine Griezmann got the equaliser.
Nigeria international Alex Iwobi was left on the bench for the whole game.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men after Croatia defender Sime Vrsaljko was sent off for a second yellow card after a reckless tackle on Lacazette in the 10th minute.
Arsenal took advantage of the numerical advantage and created a number of chances but were unable to breach the Atletico Madrid’s defence in the first half.
It was however the visitors who nearly scored the game’s opening goal eight minutes from the break.
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey advanced past four Arsenal players before the ball fell at the feet of Griezmann whose well struck shot from 14 yards was saved by David Ospina.
Arzenal made the breakthrough a minute after the hour mark through Lacazette.
Jack Wilshere delivered a cross towards the back post and the Frenchman headed into the net from six yards.
Atletico Madrid equalised eight minutes from time through Griezmann following calamitous defending by Laurent Koscielny.
In the second semi-final, French club Olympic Marseille took a giant stride towards securing a place in the final by beating Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 at the Stade Velodrome.
Florian Thauvin and Clinton Njie scored both goals for the home team.
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