Arsenal confident of reaching Europa League Final despite first leg mistake, says Jack Wilshere

Keeping faith: Wilshere has his sights set on European glory
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Giuseppe Muro27 April 2018

Jack Wilshere has warned Arsenal to be wary of the “best counter-attacking team in Europe” when they take on Atletico Madrid in their own backyard next week.

Arsenal must score an away goal in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final clash after 10-man Atletico capitalised on a late defensive error to earn a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

Wilshere is adamant Arsenal can reach the final but the midfielder knows Atletico will be a threat on the break.

He said: “We know what we have got to do and we have to take that as a positive. We have to go there and score, we have to defend like we did for most of the game and we have to be clinical when we get opportunities.

“We are going to have a lot of possession but they are probably the best counter-attacking team in Europe.

“They sat in all night with two banks of four and waited for us to make a mistake. I felt most of the game we dealt with that well. But you cannot give a player like Antoine Griezmann that opportunity because he will punish you.

“It is clear what we have to do. In our minds we have to go there and score. We are confident we can do that and take the game to them.”

Arsenal had 76 per cent of possession and 28 shots but Atletico, who had Sime Vrsaljko sent off in the 10th minute, withstood that pressure and are now favourites to go through.

Atletico have not conceded in their previous 11 home matches and Wilshere said: “It is not the result we wanted. But we cannot be too disappointed. We created a lot of chances. If we put them away then we have got a chance.”

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid | 26/04/2018

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Atletico manager Diego Simeone was sent to the stands for his protests soon after Vrsaljko was dismissed by referee Clement Turpin and he will serve a touchline ban next week.

Simeone described his team as “heroes” while Arsene Wenger was left frustrated by a missed opportunity after Arsenal played for more than 80 minutes against 10 men.

But Wilshere believes Arsenal can take confidence from the way they played on Thursday.

He added: “We knew how they play but I thought we did well. I thought when the first goal went in we were in control, we were having a lot of possession and let’s make it count.

“We have got to take confidence from last night, pick ourselves up and go again. The fans were fantastic. They feel how we feel, we want to give the boss the send-off he deserves.

“You could really feel the love and the energy from the fans. I think that really helped us, especially in the first half. It is only half-time.”

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