Atletico Madrid and Arsenal meet in the Champions League semi-finals this evening, with both teams dreaming of becoming European champions for the first time.
Ahead of their semi-final showdown in the Spanish capital, we’ve put together our Combined XI from the two squads.
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Goalkeeper: David Raya – Arsenal
Spain are blessed with some serious goalkeeping depth right now, with one of the best in the business returning to his home country tonight. Raya’s reflexes and excellent distribution have seen him before irreplaceable to Arsenal.
Right-back: Nahuel Molina – Atlético Madrid
With Jurrien Timber unfit to feature, Nahuel Molina earns the nod at right-back. The World Cup winner is a tenacious presence and ranks in the top 12% of full-backs in Europe for possessions and percentage of defensive duels won.
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Centre-back: William Saliba – Arsenal
Arsenal’s greatest strength is their defence, with the centre-back axis of William Saliba and Gabriel arguably the best in Europe. The Frenchman’s excellence can appear effortless at times and he will be a cool head in the hostile Metropolitano.
Centre-back: Gabriel – Arsenal
If Saliba is the good cop, Gabriel is his more intimidating accomplice. The big Brazilian is a magnet to balls into both boxes and not afraid to ruffle the feathers of forward opposition.
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Left-back: Piero Hincapie – Arsenal
Perhaps the most impressive of Arsenal’s summer signings, Piero Hincapie has slotted into this Arsenal side with ease. The Colombian defends with a warrior-like intensity that is sure to have earned him admiration from Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
Midfield: Martin Zubimendi – Arsenal
Another Spaniard situated in North London, Zubimendi left La Liga for the Premier League last summer. The 27-year-old has had a decent first season with Arsenal, though tonight’s tie will be a real test of his influence. Arsenal need him to get on the ball and control tempo against an Atletico Madrid side roared on by their home support.
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Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal
Arsenal broke their transfer record to sign Declan Rice, in the hope that the midfielder can decide games of his stature. Last season’s Champions League win over Real Madrid was a start, but Rice needs more of those nights. He’s capable.
Midfield: Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid
Antoine Griezmann will leave Atletico Madrid this summer as a legend, the club’s record scorer, and a player who has consistently delivered. A shock Champions League success would be the dream ending for Griezmann, following his penalty heartbreak in the 2016 final.
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Even amid managed minutes this season, the 35-year-old has been a class act. He’s averaged a goal or assist every 122 minutes, the sort of production that Arsenal’s creatives have sorely lacked.
Right-wing: Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has not been at his best this season, but his importance to Arsenal cannot be understated. Ahead of tonight’s game, Martin Odegaard has hailed the winger on his return from injury.
“For sure [it’s lifted the mood]. When you have players like Bukayo back, he brings something special,” Odegaard told TNT Sports.
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“Of course, he has quality and all that, but he also lifts the players around him, the people around him. It’s great to have him back.”
Left-wing: Ademola Lookman – Atletico Madrid
The London-born winger has come a long way since struggling to establish himself in the Premier League.
An African Footballer of the Year award and Europa League was won with Atalanta, before a January transfer to Atletico. He’s hit the ground running with seven goals since that switch.
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Forward: Julian Alvarez – Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Arsenal are interested in signing Julian Alvarez.
It’s not hard to see why. The Argentine has scored 48 goals in less than two seasons in the Spanish capital.
Read – Remembering Arsenal’s previous Champions League semi-finals
See more – Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news
