Spanish football journalist Guillem Balagué has revealed exactly what it is about Atletico Madrid that Arsenal could potentially exploit in the upcoming clash in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

The Gunners came into this season without having to focus completely on winning the Europa League after missing out on a place in the Champions League for the first time in over a decade.

However, after failing to keep up with their rivals in the race for a place in the top four of the Premier League, winning Europe’s second tier club competition is now a priority.

After seeing off CSKA Moscow 6-3 on aggregate in the quarter-final on Thursday, the Gunners have been drawn against Spanish contenders Atletico Madrid in the next stage.

Most fans have not been too enthusiastic about the upcoming match-up after the news of the draw on Friday but Balague believes the La Liga side actually has certain flaws that Arsenal should be pleased about.

“It’s a shame Arsenal and Atletico are meeting now, it would have been nice to see them in the final,” Balague said.

“Arsenal are going to face one of the best teams in knock-out competitions in the world. With what they have, they tend to do very well in knock-out competitions.

“But They have weaknesses as well. In the past going a goal up would have been guarantee of victory, but they have dropped points after going ahead, they are less impressive from set-pieces in both boxes, and showed against Sporting that now the squad has become smaller, players are becoming affected by injuries and tiredness.

“They go to Levante this weekend with only 13 players from the first-team at a crucial part of the season where you have to be sharp with players in front of goal

“They may struggle with it. There are angles Arsenal can be positive about.”

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