Two of Europe’s greatest teams, who had never previously won the UEFA Champions League trophy, clashed in a league phase match at the Emirates.
Who: Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid
Content: UEFA Champions League
Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Date and time: Tuesday 21st October 8pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: Get everything ready on Al Jazeera Sports from 5pm (16:00 GMT) before the live text commentary stream.
English Premier League (EPL) leaders Arsenal host Spanish giants Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, with both teams looking to solidify their place on the UEFA Champions League (UCL) ladder in the Round 3 showdown.
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The Gunners have won four of their last five games and are now at the top of the table, three points behind Manchester City, heading into Europe’s blockbuster showdown at the top of the Premier League table.
For the Rojiblancos, who have reached the finals of the Champions League three times, Tuesday’s game will be a great opportunity to test themselves against last season’s UCL semi-finalists.
Here’s what you need to know before their epic clash.
How did Arsenal and Atletico do in the domestic league last weekend?
The Gunners narrowly beat Fulham 1-0 away in the Premier League at Craven Cottage, while Atletico returned from the international break to beat Osasuna 1-0 in a close La Liga clash.
How close have both teams come to winning the Champions League?
Arsenal came closest to winning the UCL in 2006, reaching the final and leading 1-0 against Barcelona, but ultimately losing 2-1.
Atlético have reached the final three times: in 1974, 2014 and 2016. The most recent loss may have been the most painful. At the Stadio San Siro in Milan, Italy, they lost to their arch-rivals Real Madrid 5-3 in overtime and penalties.
The 2016 final was the second time in tournament history that the finalists were from the same city.
What happened the last time Arsenal played Atletico Madrid?
Tuesday’s match will be the third meeting between the two teams, who last met in the Europa League on May 3, 2018.
Atlético defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano, securing their place in the final with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
The match is best remembered as former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s failed attempt to lift a European trophy for the north London club, which he had coached for 22 years.
Status attack:
Arsenal are aiming to win the UEFA Champions League for the 12th consecutive year without conceding a goal at home in the group or league stages. The Gunners are on a five-game winning streak in all competitions. Atlético, coached by Diego Simeone, are unbeaten in six games in all competitions since losing to Liverpool in the last minute at Anfield in September.
Atlético aim to convince Alvarez they are part of the elite with Arsenal visit
Julian Álvarez has established himself as a key player at Atletico Madrid, but the club still needs to prove to the Argentina international that they are part of Europe’s elite and can realize his ambitions.
In recent weeks, there has been renewed speculation that Barcelona are interested in signing a striker next summer to replace veteran Robert Lewandowski.
“People talk all the time,” Alvarez said, refusing to fan the flames of rumors or completely extinguish them.
Alvarez joined Atletico in the summer of 2024 from Manchester City in a deal worth 85 million euros ($99 million).
direct confrontation
Past meetings: 2 Arsenal wins: 0 Draws: 1 Atletico Madrid wins: 1
arsenal team news
Central defender Piero Hincapie was recovering from a groin strain and made the decision during the game.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is still without Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, all of whom are sidelined with knee injuries.
Atletico Madrid team news
Winger Nice Gonzalez is doubtful for the game against Arsenal after sustaining a head injury in Saturday night’s 1-0 win over Osasuna.
Neither forward Thiago Almada (calf) nor midfielder Johnny Cardoso (ankle) have played since August.
Simeone will have access to defender Clement Lenglet, who is available after serving a suspension in the domestic league.
Arsenal’s predicted starting lineup
Raya (goalkeeper); White, Saliba, Gabriel, Louis Skelly. Eze, Zubimendi, Rice. Saka, Gokeres, Martinelli
Atlético Madrid expected lineup
Oblak (goalkeeper); Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri. Simeone, Barrios, Gallagher, Almada. Griezmann, Alvarez
