2025-26 UEFA Champions League: League Phase – Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid

Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in a blockbuster League Phase clash in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. 

Victory could put Arsenal top of the table depending on results elsewhere, whilst Atletico can move into the top eight with a win.

 

Team News

Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-0 Premier League win at Fulham.

Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus (all knee) remain sidelined.

Atletico Madrid could be without Nico Gonzalez after he suffered a head injury in their La Liga victory against Osasuna.

Johnny Cardoso is a doubt with an ankle injury.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 21 October at 8pm BST, live on Amazon Prime in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Arsenal’s first Champions League meeting against Atletico Madrid, but are yet to beat Atletico in all UEFA competitions (D1, L1).
• Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 in their only previous trip to Arsenal in April 2018, which came in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie that season which the Spanish club ultimately won 2-1 on aggregate.
• Arsenal are yet to keep a clean sheet against Atletico.
• Gabriel Martinelli has scored in both of Arsenal’s two games so far in the league phase (W2).
• Atletico have lost two of their last seven Champions League trips to English opposition (W3, D2, L2).

 

Prediction

Having snatched a clinical win from a set piece at Fulham in an otherwise sloppy display where their end product was pretty wasteful, Arsenal will be glad to be at home where they’re unbeaten this season but they will need to be much sharper in their finishing.

Atletico meanwhile are joint second top goalscorers in the league phase after two games but their defence has been their weak point, so will feel confident that they can get a result but they’re yet to keep a clean sheet on the road.

This clash therefore feels like it could be pretty entertaining attack wise but guaranteed goals if Atletico’s defence isn’t tight, as I can Arsenal having enough quality to get at least a draw.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Atletico Madrid

Result: Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid