Friday 27 April 2018 09:37, UK
Jack Wilshere has praised Arsenal's fans for giving their team a real lift during Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Ten-man Atletico Madrid's late equaliser at the Emirates has given Diego Simeone's side the edge ahead of the second leg, but Wilshere thinks Arsenal can pose problems for the Spanish side next week.
Arsene Wenger will move on at the end of the season after 22 years in charge and the home fans created a vibrant atmosphere for his final European match at home.
Wilshere said: "The fans were fantastic. I think they really feel how we feel with the boss - we want to give him the send-off he deserves - and I think that really helped us, especially in the first half.
"When you walked out at the start of the game you could really feel the energy and the love from the fans and it pushed us on."
Atletico had to play for over 80 minutes with 10 men after Sime Vrsaljko received a second yellow but, having gone behind to a goal from Alexandre Lacazette, they stunned the home crowd when Antoine Griezmann levelled with eight minutes left.
Arsenal were left to rue missed opportunities, but Wilshere does not think they are out of the tie.
"They are a team that want to sit in there, we are a team that want to attack and open teams up. We knew it was going to be difficult," he added.
"The good thing is, it is clear what we have to do. We know in our minds we have to go there and score.
"We have to be confident we can do that and take the game to them when we are there."
