Diego Costa the key factor as Atletico hunt Europa League title

MADRID, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Arsenal need to pull off a major surprise in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday night if they are to deny Atletico Madrid a place in this season's Europa League final.

Antoine Griezmann's late goal as Atletico trailed 1-0 in London last week completely changed the complexion of the semi-final tie. The game ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw, but also gave Atletico the vital away goal which means Arsenal and not Atletico now have to score on Thursday.

Given that Atletico have conceded just four league goals at home all season, that highlights the difficulty of Arsenal's task.

Atletico's star striker Diego Costa will be fit and his former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard believes his return will be a key factor. "Costa is exactly the sort of personality that is missing from the Arsenal dressing room: someone with a winning mentality," Lampard said in the English press.

It looks as if Atletico will start with Thomas Partey and Vitolo as wing-backs against Arsenal with Jose Gimenez, Diego Godin and Lucas as a central defensive trio ahead of Koke, Saul and Gabi in midfield with Griezmann and Costa leading the line.

Arsenal's away form doesn't invite optimism given they have failed to win away in their last nine domestic games. This includes a cup defeat away to Nottingham Forest and league setbacks against Bournemouth, Swansea, Brighton and Newcastle.

They are currently sixth in the Premier league, 11 points behind fourth placed Tottenham. Winning the Europa League represents their only chance of playing in the Champions League next season.

Arsene Wenger, who will leave at the end of the season, rested key players away to Manchester United at the weekend but has a major doubt over Hendrikh Mkhitaryan, who is struggling with a knee problem. Goalkeeper David Ospina suffered an injury at Old Trafford and could be replaced by Petr Cech on Thursday.

Elsewhere there should be few changes to the side who dominated at the Emirates a week ago, but failed to take their chances.

Arsenal have the quality to go through, but will need to show the steel that has been missing in recent away games. Atletico fans will be confident that Jan Oblak will be able to keep yet another clean sheet. If he does that, Atletico will be on their way to the final. Enditem