Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg, but they showed exactly why they are among Europe’s elite.
The Premier League leaders were the better side in the first half, but their intensity dropped after the break as fatigue began to show.
For a period, Atletico looked more in control, and it felt like the momentum had shifted. However, Mikel Arteta’s changes helped Arsenal regain their footing and finish the game strongly.
Those substitutions did more than just impact the match – they left Diego Simeone in disbelief.
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Diego Simeone stunned by Arsenal’s substitutions vs Atletico Madrid
Arsenal’s squad depth has been a major strength all season, and it was on full display in Madrid.
As the game wore on and legs began to tire, Arteta turned to his bench to inject fresh energy and quality into the side.
One by one, high-level players entered the pitch – Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Cristhian Mosquera.
Even though none of the above players made a game-changing contribution, they allowed Arsenal to regain control and push Atletico back in the closing stages.
For Simeone, who claimed that Arsenal substitutes were better than those they replaced, watching that level of talent come off the bench was an eye-opener on just how strong the Gunners are.
He said after the game, as per AS: “Did you see the five players who came on? Every time one came on, I was like, ‘Is this for real?’
“Yes, it’s true. They have more than enough talent to compete. They haven’t lost in the Champions League, and they’ve been near the top of the Premier League since the beginning.
“We’re up against a fantastic team.”
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Mikel Arteta could have another Arsenal weapon for the second leg
As strong as Arsenal looked in the first leg, there is still a sense that they have not yet shown their full hand. That is because one key player was missing from the squad in Madrid.
Kai Havertz was unavailable due to the injury he picked up against Newcastle United, and his absence was felt in the attacking areas.
There is now optimism that Havertz’s injury is not as serious as initially feared. If his recovery continues to progress well, there is a real chance he could be available for the second leg next week.
That would give Arteta yet another high-quality option, adding even more depth to an already stacked squad.
With Havertz potentially returning and Arsenal already matching Atletico away from home, their chances of progressing look very strong.
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