Arsenal held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw away from home in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, but will leave the Spanish capital feeling as though they could have had more.
Two penalties – and a third that Arsenal controversially had disallowed by VAR – were the story of the first leg as Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez struck either side of half time from the spot to keep the tie firmly in the balance before next week’s clash at the Emirates.
Daily Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN was at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano to assess how Arsenal’s stars fared on their big night in Madrid, as well as how Atletico’s players performed.
Viktor Gyokeres netted from the spot to help earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw away at Atletico Madrid
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
DAVID RAYA: 7.5
Early save to keep out Julian Alvarez, and batted away an Ademola Lookman strike. Had his goalframe rattled, but came to the rescue a few times.
BEN WHITE: 5.5
Targeted by the opposition early on, as they tried to get Ademola Lookman on the ball to attack White’s flank. Marcos Llorente’s strike hit his arm, resulting in an Alvarez penalty.
WILLIAM SALIBA: 6
Seemed a bit hesitant at times up against this pacey attack. Felt particularly pressured by Alvarez. Helped out by Gabriel.
GABRIEL: 7
Confident in passing and kept wanting to get on the ball, even with the opposition lurking. That takes bravery and he stepped up.
PIERO HINCAPIE: 6.5
A solid display. Didn’t give the attackers an inch. His conviction in tackles make him hard to beat. Though occasionally sloppy in passing.
Declan Rice was Arsenal’s quarterback and showed quality in both attack and defence in Spain
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6.5
Should have done better with Viktor Gyokeres’ pass in the area early on. But gave Arsenal needed control, which reduced when substituted on 58 minutes.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI: 6.5
Overran in midfield, yet the midfielder’s delicate touch and pass leading up to Gyokeres’ penalty was a sublime piece of play.
DECLAN RICE: 8.5
Showed such acumen in both attack and defence. Played in a deep centre-back role when in possession, acting as the team’s quarter-back.
NONI MADUEKE: 7
Caused the opposition problems in his direct nature, which is in contrast to recent weeks. Had a shot whistle wide on 30 minutes.
VIKTOR GYOKERES: 7.5
Made a fantastic early run to provide his captain with a great opportunity. Won Arsenal’s penalty after being pushed — and buried it past Jan Oblak with power.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 5.5
Helped out in his defensive duties. Needed to do more in the final third in attack, and that affected Arsenal.
Subs –
EBERECHI EZE: 7
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 6
GABRIEL JESUS: 6
BUKAYO SAKA: 6
Gabriel Martinelli needed to do more in attack but carried out his defensive duties well
Manager –
MIKEL ARTETA: 7.5
Walked away from Atletico Madrid’s notorious ground with a draw. He’ll happily take that.
Referee –
Danny Makkelie: 5.5
ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Oblak 5.5; Llorente 6.5, Pubill 6, Hancko 4, Ruggeri 6; Simeone 5.5 (Le Normand 46, 6), Koke 6, Cardoso 6, Lookman 6.5; Griezmann 7, Alvarez 6.5.
Manager: Diego Simeone 6.
