Atletico Madrid general manager Clemente Villaverde rates their Europa League semifinal clash with Arsenal as "50-50".

A draw with Atletico was the worst possible scenario for Arsenal, who likely would have been further disappointed at the prospect of having to play the second leg in Madrid.

"From this moment on, all that remains for us now are very difficult games, great rivals and the draw has brought us together with Arsenal, and that's a very welcome outcome for us," Villaverde said.

“Arsenal are a great club who always finish among the top teams in their league and usually go far in European competition.They are a team with a lot of similarities to us and I think we are in for a very open tie.

“These kinds of ties are always 50-50. We could be in for two games which are completely different."