Arsenal v Atletico Madrid preview: ‘My target is to play in Europe again’, insists Arsene Wenger

The 68-year-old announced last week that his 22-year reign at the Gunners will end this summer – although the timing was questioned due to the importance of the looming Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid.

His final objective is to steer Arsenal to that trophy, returning Champions League football to north London as his parting gift.

“I hope these are not my last European cup games – my target is to play in Europe again,” said Wenger.

“I’ve had no break [from football management] for 35 years. You can look around, and that doesn’t exist. I don’t know now how addicted I am. I am like a guy who plays Russian roulette every week and suddenly has no gun. I will see how much I miss that gun.

“You live always in extreme situations. When I started at 33, I thought I would never survive in this job, but you learn to dominate your emotions. You are never sure if you do the right thing. It will be surreal when I don’t work. At the moment I work.”

Wenger added that taking a one-year sabbatical from the game – à la Pep Guardiola post-Barcelona – was not appealing, saying “it’s long – 365 days”.

The first leg against Atletico is on Thursday, with the return fixture at Wanda Metropolitano on May 3.

On the eve of the tie with Atletico, Wenger stated that the timing of his departure announcement was “not really” his decision.

However, he later moved to clarify that he had no issue with the timing, albeit in a statement released by the club.

“After reaching agreement about my departure, I was happy for the club to decide when to announce. I wish to make it clear the timing of the announcement was right,” Wenger said.

Given the double-header is indisputably the most important of Arsenal’s season, it seems bizarre that the club would choose this point to make the announcement – unless, of course, they timed it precisely for this period, to gee up a disillusioned support right when they need them most.

Either way, it’s pretty hard to truly distract from these games. They will likely mean the difference between a new manager coming in with Champions League football, making high-profile signings abundantly easier, or staring at another squabble with Burnley over sixth in 2018-19.

David Ospina is being tipped to start in goal for Arsenal despite Petr Cech returning to full fitness. Midfielders Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere are also available.

Striker Diego Costa was named in Atletico Madrid’s squad, but Juanfran misses out with a hamstring injury.

Asked if Costa was included to intimidate Arsenal or give his team-mates a boost, Simeone replied: “Knowing Diego Costa, I think all of those apply to him.

“Both in England and in Spain, many teams have suffered at the hands of Diego Costa. Not just Arsenal. He has improved.

“He trained hard on Tuesday and he trained on Wednesday and based on what we will see fit, he will either play from the start or from the bench.”