How frustrating was that for Arsenal? We had a great chance against a 10 man Atletico Madrid side and produced enough chances to win 10 games but after taking the lead through Lacazette the Gunners gave up a soft as you like away goal to put us bang under pressure for the return leg.
It was just about the ideal start to this massive Europa League semi-final for Arsenal, who came out of the traps fast and put the Spanish side under pressure. After about 10 minutes we had seen Atletico lose their right back and manager to red cards, both deserved, and all was looking good.
Even before the sending off the Gunners had good chances, with Lacazette grazing the post after a great ball from Welbeck found him in space. The France striker was then denied a headed opener by a point blank save. The opportunities kept coming against 10 men but they kept going by the wayside.
As the half drew on the visitors grew into the game and could well have scored themselves, with Ospina making two saves from in form Griezmann, the second to deny what looked a certain goal. It all left the Gunners in a good position but with Wenger needing a big team talk.
After a slow start to the second half Arsenal took control and it soon became like a siege, with Atletico showing why they have the best defence in Europe this season. The breakthrough needed to be special and it was from Wilshere to beat players and produce a peach of a cross. A great leap and headed finish from Lacazette gave Arsenal the lead and a boost of belief.
We played and probed and ran them tagged from side to side, as the 10 men seemed to flag, but despite a host of chances we failed to find a second. That was punished in the most harsh way by Griezmann who took advantage of a terrible defensive lapse to score a killer away goal from nothing.
With 10 minutes left the players tried to regain impetus but it was not enough and we have a huge job on to make the final.
Bob.