Arsenal failed to capitalise on a one-man advantage over Atletico Madrid in their UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday, drawing 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Diego Simeone’s side had deployed their characteristic hard-tackling football style, and Croatian defender Šime Vrsaljko picked up two yellow cards within the first ten minutes of the game and was promptly sent off.
Obviously helped by the numerical advantage, Arsene Wenger’s side had scored a 61st-minute goal through Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette.
Despite the numerical advantage, the Gunners failed to maintain the lead and another Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann pulled Atletico level in the 82nd minute for a critical away goal heading into the return leg at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano next week.