Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit with a 1-0 victory at home to Newcastle and they will be aiming to edge a step closer to European glory when facing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Metropolitano on Wednesday.
The Gunners have not contested a Champions League final since losing 2-1 to Barcelona in 2006, but they will fancy their chances against Atleti, who are the rank outsiders among the four teams left in the competition.
However, Atletico have saved some of their better performances for this competition and advanced to the final four with a 3-2 aggregate triumph over Barcelona, who are 25 points above them in the La Liga standings.
We have selected a football betting Bet Builder on the match that pays out at 12/1 if successful.
Atletico Madrid v Arsenal Bet Builder
Gunners can leave with a win
Arsenal showed a strong mentality in their victory at home to Newcastle and they can build on that result by defeating Atletico on Spanish soil.
There have been a few too many ups and downs for the Gunners in the Premier League title race, but it has been a different story on Champions League nights.
Mikel Arteta’s side have won 10 and drawn two of their 12 European fixtures and they have the best defensive record – five goals conceded – among the teams left in the competition.
Atletico are a club with a reputation for defensive excellence, but those powers of resistance have waned in recent times.
Diego Simeone’s side got the better of Barca, but they were assisted by red cards in both legs from their ill-disciplined opponents.
Arsenal are likely to play with greater composure and they have sufficient quality to establish a lead before next Tuesday’s return match in north London.
Leg 1: Arsenal to win @ 8/5
Gyokeres to show his worth
Viktor Gyokeres was omitted from Arsenal’s starting XI for the last two Premier League games, but he is set for a recall in the Spanish capital – replacing injury casualty Kai Havertz – and can respond by getting on the scoresheet.
It has been a mixed first season in north London for Gyokeres, who hasn’t convinced all sections of the Gunners’ fanbase.
However, the 27-year-old has notched 18 times across all competitions and he showed a big-match temperament for Sweden in last month’s World Cup qualifying play-offs by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 triumph against Ukraine and netting an 88th minute winner in the 3-2 success at home to Poland.
Gyokeres is yet to find the net in the Champions League knockout rounds, but his moment could be about to arrive.
Leg 2: Victor Gyokeres to score anytime @ 13/5
Defence key to Arsenal’s chances
Arsenal keep plenty of clean sheets and their solid defence could be key to achieving a positive outcome against Atletico.
The Gunners needed just a single goal to see off quarter-final opponents Sporting Lisbon and their encounters against Atleti could be just as tight.
Leg 3: Under three goals @ 8/13
