Arsenal face 'significant danger' against Atletico as storm brews in Madrid | OneFootball

Spanish giants have previously been accused of clever pitch ploys, as Gunners face treacherous conditions in huge clash

Not for the first time this season, Arsenal go into a match needing to give particular thought to the state of a pitch.

Areas of the pitch had very little grass and others were watered significantly, all part of the fun and games that are baked into a cup tie against lower-league opposition.

It feels far more unnatural to be having these discussions before a Champions League semi-final tie, but the Metropolitano Stadium's surface has proved a difficult opponent in itself over the last few months.

The problems stem back to November. The NFL's Miami Dolphins staged a three-day training camp at the stadium and the pitch subsequently had to be completely relaid.

With Madrid then enduring a particularly wet winter, the grass did not settle well and has remained an issue ever since.

In February, Atletico hammered Real Betis 5-0 in the Copa del Rey. Three days later, they were beaten by the same side 1-0 on home soil.

Atletico captain Koke was in no doubt about what the difference had been.

“Honestly, the pitch is not in good condition," Koke said.

“We slip, the turf comes up. A team like Atletico needs the pitch to be good in order to play.

“We’re expected to perform at a high level, and we need a pitch of that level to be able to do so. A top quality surface."

A week later, Atletico thrashed Barcelona. Joan Laporta, Barcelona president, hit out at the "poor condition" of the pitch.

Before the Champions League clash between the two sides, Hansi Flick is said to have complained to officials over the length of the grass. He believed there was a deliberate ploy to stop Barcelona's passing game.

In their Copa del Rey defeat, Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia let a backpass roll under his foot and into the back of the net.

There was more of that chaos to come when Tottenham arrived in Madrid for their Champions League last-16 tie.

Within 15 minutes, Spurs were 3-0 down. Antonin Kinsky and Micky van de Ven had both slipped to gift goals to Atletico, before Kinsky then made a mess of another backpass.

Spurs were unhappy with how much the pitch had been watered before the match, something their players simply did not adapt to.

Speaking after the match, Antoine Griezmann admitted "the pitch was very slippy", and that Atletico were simply "more used to it".

Antonin Kinsky after a second mistake against Atletico

Getty

Arsenal, then, and in particular David Raya, will need to take extra care of their footing. In a semi-final tie that will likely come down to fine margins, the Gunners cannot afford to be caught out.

That will not be easy considering the weather forecast, with warnings issued in Madrid.

Spanish weather authorities have warned of of “significant danger”. Very strong gusts of wind and hail are expected.

It is also predicted that 30mm of rain could fall in the space of one hour leading up to kick-off.

That would make an already difficult surface treacherous. Both sides would of course be impacted, but as Griezmann alluded to it is a factor Atletico are well-accustomed to.

Mikel Arteta said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday that Arsenal had been "unlucky" with the forecast, though he was confident his players would deal with the added challenge.

"We adapt to any context," he said.

"And for the last nine months, imagine the amount of games we have played, given that we have played in different scenarios, different contexts, with different opponents.

"So we adapt to the conditions tomorrow in the best possible way to be ourselves and win the game."

It will be a raucous atmosphere in Madrid. Atletico will look to make the most of that home advantage, having scored 26 goals in their last nine matches at the Metropolitano.

Arsenal must hold their nerve - and keep their footing - in the face of a storm in the stands, on the pitch, and in the sky.