Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey enjoyed a full-throttle performance for Atletico Madrid in their Europa League semifinal first-leg stalemate against Arsenal Thursday night.
The Spanish giants traveled to snatch a late 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium with 10 men.
Atletico’s right-back Sime Vrsaljko got sent off for two yellow cards in the first 10 minutes with their furious manager following suit to the stands for remonstrating with the referee.
Partey who started in midfield had to add up with more defensive duties due to their numerical disadvantage and lasted the entire game as Antoine Griezemann punished the Gunners with an 81st minute equalizer.
Arsenal took the lead through Alexandre Lacazette who rose to nod in a Jack Wilshere cross on the hour mark.
Arsene Wenger’s side could not make their numbers and dominance count and were left to rue their missed chances when, with nine minutes remaining, Griezmann latched onto a long ball forward, shrugged off Laurent Koscielny and stabbed into the net at the second attempt to swing the tie Atletico’s way.
Griezmann’s equalizer gives Atletico Madrid the advantage ahead of the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitan next Thursday.
