Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
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Perhaps the marquee tie of Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League sees Premier League leaders Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid in north London.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Paramount+
Arsenal preview: Gunning for more
Arsenal head into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Fulham at Craven Cottage, but it was far more convincing than that result would suggest on paper with a Riccardo Calafiori disallowed goal before Leandro Trossard notched a second-half winner in a London derby.
The Gunners spent heavily again over the summer and Mikel Arteta's side are expected to challenge across all competitions this season. They have dropped points in the Premier League but it has been continued progress in recent seasons and they are expected to take that final step towards silverware.
Atletico Madrid preview: Evolving Atleti
Atletico Madrid come into this one on the back of a slender but much-needed victory at the Metropolitano in the capital city at the weekend with Argentina international attacker Thiago Almada scoring the only goal of the game just before the hour mark against Osasuna.
Diego Simeone has been coming under intense scrutiny at Los Rojiblancos with a pressure on him to evolve their style of football after so much money has been spent. Atleti began their UEFA Champions League league phase campaign with another trip to England as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
Arsenal team news: Key absentees
Arsenal have a strong squad and can rotate but the Gunners have some key absentees for this one with captain Martin Odegaard sidelined alongside Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Unavailable: Odegaard (Injured), Havertz (Injured), Madueke (Injured), Jesus (Injured)
Questionable:
Atletico Madrid team news: Couple of issues
Summer signing Nicolas Gonzalez has started slowly since joining Atletico and he is now a doubt for this week. United States international defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso is sidelined through an ankle injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Hancko; Baena, Barrios, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez
Unavailable: Johnny (Injured)
Questionable: Gonzalez (Injured)
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Atletico Madrid head into this one on the back of some improved performances in La Liga but the expectation is that they once again try and simply sit back to frustrate their opposition. However, with home advantage and their new arsenal of attacking potential, the hosts will be content with that, believing they have enough variation to their play to see Atletico off at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid Tip: Arsenal to win
