Arsenal 1-1 Atletico Madrid: 5 Talking Points
Despite starting off with immense attacking intent and asserting their dominance on the game through its 90 minutes, Arsenal could only manage a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday (April 26).
The visitors were down to ten men within the first 15 minutes of the game and the Gunners had taken charge from the very first whistle. However, they only have a draw to show from their effort on the day, and one, which would feel more like a defeat to their fans.
Here are five talking points from the game:
#5 The double send-off
The build-up to this tie of the European competition was as intense and exciting as it gets in world football today. Arsene Wenger's last chance at European glory with Arsenal, Atletico Madrid's injury concerns and a sense of redemption at the Emirates had all culminated in an electric atmosphere in the stadium on Thursday.
The early dismissal of Sime Vrsaliko, who was sent off after capitulating to two yellow cards within the first 11 minutes of the night. However, it was not his red card that will be discussed the most, with respect to big calls from the referee in this particular game.
Just a couple of minutes after the defender was sent fuming back to the Madrid dugout, his manager, Diego Simeone, was banned from the touchline for the remainder of the game. He wanted a yellow card for Hector Bellerin after his team won a free-kick in a position right in front of him. However, his wild gestures and words were too much for the referee to take, as he decided to penalize the Argentine for the same.