LONDON (AP) — Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly has been handed a surprise start in midfield for Tuesday's second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid.
Forward Julian Alvarez starts for the visitors after limping off late in the first leg, having earlier scored a penalty to secure a 1-1 draw.
The 19-year-old Lewis-Skelly has been used mainly as a left-back by manager Mikel Arteta since breaking into the first team last season
but impressed in a rare midfield appearance against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
He replaces Spanish stalwart Martin Zubimendi next to Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze in midfield in Arsenal's biggest game of the season so far. Eze replaces Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who came off with a knee problem in the first leg but is on the bench after missing the Fulham game.
They're among five changes for Arsenal. Bukayo Saka starts after only being used a substitute in the first leg, having recently recovered from an Achilles tendon injury.
Robin Le Normand comes in for United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso in the only change for Atletico.
Arsenal is hoping to reach the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years, with Atletico looking to end a 10-year wait. Both teams are looking for a first European Cup title.
“After 20 years to be in this position again,” Arteta said. "We are so hungry to get the game that we want (Tuesday) and go through to that final.”
Arsenal routed Atletico 4-0 at home in the league phase in October, but expect Diego Simeone's side to be a lot more solid defensively in London on Tuesday.
“I’m going to try to tell the team to play like they did in the second half (in Madrid)," Simeone said. "If it’s that easy it would be great. We have a lot of faith in what we’re doing.”
Atletico has reached the final twice under Simeone, in 2014 and 2016, losing both times to crosstown rival Real Madrid.
Arsenal lost its only final — in 2006 to Barcelona. This time, defending champion Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich will await the winner. Those two play their second leg on Wednesday after PSG's pulsating 5-4 win in the first leg.
Arsenal's quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 was also boosted on Monday by Manchester City drawing at Everton 3-3, meaning the Gunners can clinch the trophy by winning their last three games.
Atletico is only fourth in La Liga, 25 points behind leader Barcelona.
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