Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in a massive Champions League semi-final today. Get live updates, team news, predicted lineups, kick-off time, and expert match predictions.
Last week’s encounter between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal might not have been the most memorable of this season’s Champions League semi-final first legs, but what the match lacked in pure attacking drama it made up for in tension.
Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone’s teams exchanged penalties in an even first leg that could be replicated in North London. There might not be much between the two rivals.
Atleti created more Big Chances than Arsenal (three to two) in the first leg and also edged the match in terms of Expected Goals (2.21 to 1.51). They could pose a threat in quick transition away from home too.
No team has kept more clean sheets than Arsenal (eight) in this season’s Champions League with the Gunners also conceding the fewest goals per 90 (0.5). Their true strength as a team is in defence.
To reach their first Champions League final since 2006, though, Arsenal will have to deliver a decisive blow. Can Arteta set up his side to impose their own game against a stubborn opponent?
Atleti won their last away match in the Champions League against Barcelona and might find the tactical dynamic of Tuesday’s match against Arsenal suits them.
Key players
Viktor Gyökeres has found form at the right time. The Swedish striker converted his penalty for Arsenal in last week’s first leg at the Metropolitano and also bagged a brace in Saturday’s comfortable home win over Fulham.
Gyökeres linked up nicely with Bukayo Saka against the Cottagers and Arsenal need more attackers in top form to get the better of Atleti. Saka in particular could be a difference-maker.
In midfield, Arteta will use Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi to control the centre of the pitch. Rice operated as something of a number six in Madrid, dropping in between the centre backs when required.
At the back, Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba will aim to be a brick wall in front of David Raya whose distribution could be pressured by Atlético Madrid.
Julián Alvarez was a constant threat for Atleti in last week’s first leg and will have the freedom to drift across the forward line. The Argentine has created more chances for his team than any other player this season.
This could be the final Champions League game of Antoine Griezmann’s career before he leaves for MLS in the summer with the Frenchman still averaging more shots per 90 than any other Atlético player.
The energy of Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone could be key while Ademola Lookman will offer an outlet down the left wing.
FULL-TIME PREDICTION: Arsenal 1-2 Atlético Madrid
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FACTS AND STATS TODAY
Arsenal have been unbeaten in their last eight games against Spanish sides in the Champions League. Only one team has gone more consecutive games against Spanish opposition without losing in the competition since 1992/93: Chelsea between March 2006 and April 2014 (16).
Atletico Madrid have lost six of their last seven away games against English sides in the Champions League, including each of the last four.
When avoiding defeat away from home in the first leg of a European Cup/UEFA Champions League knockout stage tie (over two legs), we have gone on to progress in eight of our previous 10, including the last five in a row.
Arsenal have lost only two of their last 23 Champions League matches (W17 D4), both against PSG in last season’s semi-finals. We could go 14 consecutive matches without defeat for the first time in our European Cup history.
Atletico have progressed from two of their five previous Champions League knockout ties when failing to win the first leg at home, with both coming against English opposition (Chelsea in 2013/14 semi-finals & Manchester United in 2021/22 last 16).
Atleti have won just one of their last seven away matches in the knockout stages of the Champions League, although that came in their most recent via a 2-0 victory at Barcelona last month.
Arsenal average is just 0.65 goals conceded per game under Mikel Arteta in the Champions League (24 conceded in 37 games). This is the lowest goals conceded per game ratio for any manager with 20+ games in the competition, ahead of Frank Rijkaard (0.68).
Julian Alvarez has averaged a goal or assist every 80 minutes in his Champions League career (34 in 2,710 minutes – 25 goals, 9 assists). Of strikers with 20+ goal involvements in the competition, only Erling Haaland (74) has a better ratio.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Atlético Madrid Predicted Lineup
MATCH OFFICIALS TODAY
Daniel Siebert heads an all-German officiating team for this game. He has been a Bundesliga referee since 2012 and was added to the FIFA list two years later. A part-time teacher, he refereed at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
It’s a quick reunion with Sibert as he oversaw our 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon in the previous round, while we have also beaten Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 in the Champions League league phase in January 2025 and a 3-1 victory at Olympiakos in the Europa League last 16 back in March 2021. In eight Champions League games this season, he has issued 38 yellow cards, two reds and awarded one penalty.
Referee: Daniel Siebert
Assistants: Jan Seidel, Rafael Foltyn
Fourth official: Tobias Stieler
VAR: Bastian Dankert
Assistant VAR: Robert Schroder
TIME AND VENUE
Arsenal and Atletico Madrid face off Today, May 5, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT and 20:00 PM WAT at the Emirates Stadium in London, in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals.