Atletico Madrid host Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night - here is our match prediction, team news and head-to-head stats for the Gunners' crucial clash
Tom Phillips Sports Betting Writer
01:00, 29 Apr 2026
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Mikel Arteta during a training sessions ahead of Arsenal's match against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, two clubs still pursuing a maiden Champions League trophy, clash at the Metropolitano on Wednesday evening in the opening leg of a captivating semi-final. The victors across both matches will meet either Bayern Munich or defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the showpiece at Budapest's Puskas Arena on May 30.
Atleti are featuring in their seventh European Cup/Champions League semi-final - and their first since 2016-17 - after edging past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. While Diego Simeone's outfit have traditionally been linked with a more defensive approach, they have adopted a much more attacking philosophy in Europe this campaign, notching up a club-record 34 goals in the tournament to eclipse their 2013-14 tally. Eight of those arrived during their last-16 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.
The Spanish side have found the net in each of their previous 12 fixtures across all competitions and got back to winning ways in La Liga on Saturday with a 3-2 home victory against Athletic Bilbao, ending a four-game league losing run and tightening their hold on a top-four spot. Arsenal now present a formidable challenge, especially after Atletico were hammered 4-0 at the Emirates in the league phase earlier this season.
Simeone's side have also triumphed in just two of their last 12 UEFA fixtures against English opponents and their Champions League semi-final record is patchy. However, Atleti have prevailed in 11 of their last 15 two-legged European encounters against English teams - including all three semi-finals - and have suffered defeat only twice in their last 18 home clashes with English clubs in Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have progressed to the Champions League semi-finals in consecutive seasons for the first time in their history, and for the fourth time overall, after narrowly defeating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. Mikel Arteta's outfit topped the league phase with an unblemished record and remain the competition's sole undefeated team this campaign, suffering defeat in just two of their last 22 Champions League encounters overall.
On the domestic front, Arsenal's form has stuttered, but Saturday's 1-0 victory over Newcastle halted a four-match losing streak - which featured EFL Cup final heartbreak and FA Cup elimination - and re-established a three-point advantage over Manchester City at the Premier League summit.
As well as pursuing a long-awaited league title, the Gunners are eager to secure a maiden European trophy, and their recent form against Spanish clubs provides hope following seven consecutive Champions League victories over La Liga rivals. Arsenal have suffered defeat in just one of their previous 11 away fixtures in the tournament and have prevailed in five of their last nine two-legged Champions League encounters against Spanish opposition - including overcoming Real Madrid last season - though Atletico did knock them out 2-1 on aggregate in the 2017-18 Europa League semi-finals, reports the Mirror.
Atletico vs Arsenal Prediction
Atletico to win and both teams to score - 14/5 ( BetGoodwin )
Julian Alvarez to score anytime - 21/10 ( BetGoodwin )
Riccardo Calafiori to be booked - 2/1 (B etGoodwin )
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Atletico vs Arsenal Team News
Atletico Madrid will be missing Pablo Barrios (hamstring) and Jose Gimenez (muscle), while Ademola Lookman (muscle) and David Hancko (ankle) remain uncertain and will be evaluated before kick-off. Julian Alvarez is also a minor concern with "discomfort", but Atletico are hopeful he can feature alongside Antoine Griezmann or Alexander Sorloth, who netted twice in their previous outing.
Johnny Cardoso, Rodrigo Mendoza or Marcos Llorente could step in for Barrios in the middle of the park next to Koke, with Llorente also a possibility at right-back, though Nahuel Molina may retain his spot. For Arsenal, Mikel Merino (foot) and Jurrien Timber (ankle) are still sidelined, Riccardo Calafiori (knock) is doubtful, and Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze (both muscle) plus Martin Zubimendi (illness) will be assessed after being substituted against Newcastle. Eze claims he's fine, but Arteta might introduce Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard on the left, with Viktor Gyokeres likely to step in for Havertz, while Bukayo Saka is vying for his first start in over a month.
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