5th May 2026
May 5 – Arsenal will host Atletico Madrid tonight in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final, with the tie finely poised at 1-1.
Last week’s first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano was shaped by two penalties – Viktor Gyokeres giving Arsenal the lead before Julian Alvarez brought Atletico level. Much of the post-match discussion, however, centred on VAR’s decision not to award Arsenal a late spot-kick following an alleged foul on Eberechi Eze.
There is little room for debate now. With a place in the final in Budapest on the line, both sides turn their focus to the pitch as north London braces for a decisive night.
Awaiting the winner will be either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich, with that semi-final to be settled tomorrow. PSG hold a narrow edge after a chaotic 5-4 first leg, setting up another high-stakes encounter, this time on Bavarian soil.
Arsenal come into the match off the back of a convincing 3-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, and remain five points clear in the title race after Manchester City dropped points at Everton on Monday night.
Mikel Arteta opted to go full strength against Fulham – a calculated risk, but one that underlined the importance of momentum.
Atletico, by contrast, rotated heavily in a 2-0 win over Valencia, preserving energy for the return leg.
“I can’t wait,” said Arteta in yesterday’s press conference. “I feel the energy in and amongst the team and our supporters, so these are the moments that we want to live together. We had a lot of work as a club, as a team, after 20 years to be in this position again, and we are so hungry to get a game that we want tomorrow and go through to the final.
“How tough is it to be in the position that we are in? Our history tells us. The level of every team and the competition shows every day that being here deserves a lot of credit to everybody that is involved. We know where we want to be.”
Diego Simeone said: “Each team has our own strengths, and we’ll do our thing to try to make the most of our strengths, and I’m sure the Arsenal coach will try to maximise theirs.
“We have a lot of faith in what we’re doing. We’re convinced and confident about what we want to achieve in the match, and then, obviously, the result won’t depend solely on us.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1777976284labto1777976284ofdlr1777976284owedi1777976284sni@g1777976284niwe.1777976284yrrah1777976284](javascript:;)