'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In the midst of what has been a horrendous league campaign, Arsenal looked down and out, all set for their worst finish under Arsene Wenger. However, a string of victories in the UEFA Europa League knockout stages reinvigorated their stagnating campaign, as they sailed through Russian opponents CSKA Moscow in the quarterfinals.
A resounding 4-1 victory at home in the first leg followed by a comeback 2-2 draw at Moscow helped the Gunners progress, via a 6-3 aggregate score. It brought Arsenal to a position where three more wins would help them return to the Champions League group stages next season.
Things were looking good, until the semi-final draw happened this afternoon. Arsenal were drawn to face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semifinals. It's obvious that Arsenal would have been looking to avoid Atletico and they now have a humongous task ahead of them if they are to try and get back in the Champions League next season.
This will be the first competitive match between the two teams. The other semi-final drawn was Olympique Marseille vs Red Bull Salzburg. Perhaps it's safe to bet that the winner of the Arsenal vs Atletico tie will go on to lift the trophy in France on May 16.
Twitter reacted to this draw, which is arguably a Champions League-level clash, and here are some of the best tweets:
