Mikel Arteta has lifted the lid on the tough decisions behind his team selection for Tuesday's semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid, revealing the emotional reaction from players who were left out of the starting XI.

Arsenal fans raised eyebrows when the lineup was announced, as it was the exact same side that had faced Fulham just days earlier. Many expected a rotation, with key players from the first leg returning to the fold. But Arteta stuck with his guns, and it wasn't a call he took lightly.

"If you saw my iPad, you'd have seen the endless lineups I went through—changing, tweaking, rethinking every possibility," Arteta admitted. "In the end, I trusted my gut. I had such a strong feeling from what I saw against Fulham."

The decision meant breaking bad news to several stars, including Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, and Piero Hincapie, who all started the first leg but were dropped to the bench. Arteta revealed how he delivered the news and the players' reaction.

"I went to some of them and said, 'I'm sorry, but I'll be going with the same lineup from Fulham,'" Arteta recalled. "Their response was incredible. They said, 'Boss, we're here whenever you need us,' and then they hugged me."

That kind of team spirit is exactly what Arsenal needs as they push for glory. Those players are now training hard to earn a spot in the remaining Premier League fixtures and, hopefully, a place in the Champions League final lineup.