Football Preview | Arsenal v Atlético Madrid

Arsenal go into this match looking to carry on their impressive form

They have won their first two matches in the competition against Athletic Club and Olympiakos.

Author | DJ

Stadium | Emirates Stadium

Arsenal fans in their last Champions League game

The fifth-placed Gunners sit ahead of Qarabag and behind Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich on goal difference in the group-stage table, where their current position would be enough to secure a direct place in the last 16 of the competition.

Arsenal team news

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard missed the 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, still feeling the effects of a knock sustained in the win over West Ham before the international break.

The Norwegian looks unlikely to be fit enough to play now. Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will also be absent, although Arsenal could at least welcome Piero Hincapie back into the matchday squad.

Meanwhile, Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli could be set for recalls. All three featured in the win over Olympiakos at the Emirates earlier this month.

It remains unclear how Arteta will adjust his lineup, but with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan among their opponents either side of Christmas in this competition, the Gunners boss will be keen to maintain their strong start.

A look at the opposition

📍Arsenal Stadium pic.twitter.com/qHuPdOXKZE

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 20, 2025

There will be several familiar faces in the Atlético squad for English supporters, including Conor Gallagher, Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth.

Diego Simeone’s side have found the net in all 11 of their competitive fixtures this season, underlining their attacking threat. However, their away form remains a concern, with no victories on the road so far, having drawn three and lost two of their five games.

In terms of team news, Atlético have only a couple of fitness issues to contend with following the weekend’s 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo. Nico González was forced off just before half-time after suffering a head injury, while Johnny Cardoso (ankle) is also a doubt. Experienced defender Clément Lenglet, meanwhile, is available again after serving a La Liga suspension.

Previous encounters between the two sides

The only prior encounters between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid in European competition took place in the semi-finals of the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League. The Gunners were knocked out 2-1 on aggregate by Diego Simeone’s team, with Diego Costa scoring the decisive goal after a 1-1 draw at home and a 0-1 defeat away.

Key stats ahead of the match

Arsenal have won each of their last six matches against Spanish opposition, beating four different sides in that run. This includes Real Madrid twice, Sevilla twice, Girona and Athletic Club. This is already the longest winning streak by any team against Spanish opponents in UEFA Champions League history.

Atlético Madrid have never won away to an English team in the group or league phase of the UEFA Champions League, failing in all five attempts to date, including a 4-0 defeat in London against Chelsea in October 2009.