Europa League semi-final draw: Should Arsenal look at Bolton Wanderers to beat Atletico Madrid?
It was the draw that Arsenal fans may have wanted to avoid, but the Gunners will face La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in the semi-final of the Europa League.
Diego Simeone's men sit as 11/10 favourites to lift the trophy, and will be the toughest test that Arsenal have faced in this competition.
They reached the semi-final stages of the Champions League last season, and have made two appearances in the final in recent years.
So it comes as no surprise that Atletico were the team to avoid in Europe's second competition.
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid first-leg draw (odds via Sky Bet)
- Arsenal to win the first-leg - 6/4
- First-leg to finish as a draw - 9/4
- Atletico Madrid to win the first-leg - 15/8
It'll be Arsenal's first meeting with the Spanish outfit, and they face an uphill task if they are to secure passage to the final.
'Los Rojiblancos' have seen success over English sides in past meetings, but were surprised when they met Bolton Wanderers in the last-16 stages of the UEFA Cup back in 2008.
Gary Megson's men had enjoyed a terrific 2006/07 season, they were in the Champions League spots for parts of the season but ended up finishing seventh, enough to qualify for a spot in Europe.
The following campaign saw Wanderers struggle domestically, but they went on a lengthy run on the continent.
They saw off Macedonian outfit FK Rabotnichki to reach the group stages, where they picked up draws against Braga, Bayern Munich and Aris before a final day win over Red Star Belgrade granted them passage to the knock-out stages.
There, they were drawn alongside Atletico.
Over 26,000 packed the Reebok Stadium for the first-leg on Valentines Day, and there was a lot of love for goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen as he denied Antonio Lopez with a world class one-handed save with just 12 minutes played.
The contest was turned on its head when Madrid substitute striker Sergio Aguero was shown a red card by referee Peter Rasmussen for spitting in the 74th minute.
Step forward El Hadji Diouf, who fired in the winner from close range moments later. The visitors pushed for the equaliser, the nerves were clear in Lancashire, but Megson's men would hang on for a crucial first-leg victory.
The sides would meet a week later at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, with the team who sat fourth in La Liga clear favourites to progress.
Aguero's red card looked costly, as Diego Forlan evidently struggled without his partner in attack.
Bolton nearly took a surprise lead when Stelios Giannakopoulos forced goalkeeper Christian Abbiati into an early save from his header.
Atletico looked to playmakers Jose Antonio Reyes and Maxi Rodriguez to open up Bolton but they found themselves limited by the centre-back pairing of Andy O'Brien and Gary Cahill.
Former Liverpool man Luis Garcia had a golden opportunity to score, but blasted an effort over the crossbar, much to the relief of the English side.
Jaaskelainen had little saves to make, Madrid's tempo stuttered, Bolton held on for a 0-0 draw to cause an incredible upset.
Wanderers remain the last English side to beat Atletico Madrid over two legs following Liverpool's defeat in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2010.
In similar fashion, Arsenal might find themselves on the back foot when they meet Simeone's side in two weeks time.
The priority for Wenger seems to be the Europa League, as their top four hopes and Champions League qualification through the domestic route have faded.
They may need to be inspired by some 'Megson magic' if they are to feature in Lyon on May 16, and return to their previous heights of Europe's elite competition.
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Odds correct as of 1235 BST 13/04/2018
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