“Some of the best teams in the world fall apart here” — Arteta proud as Arsenal leave Metropolitano with 1-1 draw
“Some of the best teams in the world fall apart here” — Arteta proud as Arsenal leave Metropolitano with 1-1 draw Mikel Arteta said he was proud of his side's performance after Arsenal drew 1-1 at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League . Arsenal will welcome Atletico Madrid to North London for the second leg of their semi-final tie next week, with the score level after a draw in the Spanish capital. Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal ahead from the penalty spot just before half-time, blasting past Jan Oblak after he had been felled by David Hancko in the area.
Atletico Madrid had the better of the possession and chances, and levelled the score with a penalty of their own. Julian Alvarez emphatically converted after Ben White's handball offence. Arsenal had a second penalty overturned by VAR, a decision Arteta criticised at full-time.
However, the Spaniard said he was pleased with the overall performance , admitting 'some of the best teams in the world' have fallen apart at the intimidating Metropolitano Stadium. Atletico have never lost a home Champions League knockout tie to a Premier League team. "I'm very proud, I said that to the boys.
We've handled any kind of context for nine and a half months, which is remarkable. I really value what they’ve done because I've seen some of the best teams in the world fall apart here. "We didn't get the result that we wanted.
The way we planned the game, we wanted to win it, but at least it's in our hands, in front of our people, to be in that final. And in a week’s time, we're going to have the opportunity to do so. " Arteta reserved praise for goalscorer Gyokeres, who came back into the side for the injured Kai Havertz.