Who: Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal
Contents: Champions League semi-final, first leg
Location: Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
Date and time: Wednesday, April 29th, 9pm (7pm GMT)
How to follow: Get everything ready on Al Jazeera Sports from 16:00 GMT ahead of the live text commentary stream.
Arsenal’s record as the only unbeaten football team in this season’s Champions League will be put to the test in the intense atmosphere of the Metropolitano Stadium.
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The Gunners have conceded just five goals in 12 games so far, a record similar to that of Atletico during Diego Simeone’s long run of frenetic football.
But this is an Atlético side who have conceded an astonishing 26 goals in 14 Champions League games this season, while Julián Álvarez has scored nine of their 34 goals.
The two teams have already faced each other this season, but it feels like a lifetime ago since Arsenal beat Atlético 4-0 in a league match back in October. The four-goal outburst, including two from Victor Goqueres in the second half of 15 minutes, showed Mikel Arteta’s side a freedom that has been difficult to regain in a tense second half of the season.
Arsenal have endured a rocky run of late, losing to Man City in the League Cup final and an important league match, but they maintain a three-point lead at the top of the table despite City having a game in hand.
Meanwhile, the hosts sit fourth in La Liga, with the Champions League their last hope of winning silver this season after losing in last weekend’s Copa del Rey final.
Atlético’s path to the semi-finals has been marked by taking the lead in the first leg, ambushing Tottenham at home, defeating Barcelona and then overcoming intense pressure in the return game. It will take place in London next Tuesday.
The winner will face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final on May 30 in Budapest.
What are the managers saying?
Atleti coach Diego Simeone said: “We go into the semi-finals with enthusiasm and belief. We know our strengths and weaknesses. We have great confidence in what we do. We are ready and will pursue what we have been pursuing for many years.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “It’s a big moment (reaching back-to-back semi-finals). It’s the first time in our history for 140 years. It’s very special to be part of these four teams. You have to earn it. You have to put in a lot of effort.”
What are the players saying?
Atleti striker Antoine Griezmann said: “As long as we stay, it doesn’t matter who we play. It was a nice, tough draw (against Barcelona) against a great team who played very well. We struggled but we are still in the league.”
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli said: “We believe in ourselves and we know our quality. We beat them in the league, but it will be a completely different game.”
How did Atlético reach the semi-finals?
Atlético Madrid eliminated 10-man Barcelona from the Champions League and advanced to the last four with a 3-2 aggregate victory, despite losing 2-1 in the quarter-final second leg.
Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres put visiting team Barça ahead within 24 minutes, but Atlético, who won 2-0 in the first leg thanks to a goal from Ademola Lookman, had the upper hand in the all-Spanish draw.
How did Arsenal reach the semi-finals?
Arsenal rode their luck to reach the Champions League semi-finals with a tense goalless draw with Sporting Lisbon, winning 1-0 on aggregate.
Mikel Arteta’s side were well below their best in the quarter-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium, but maintained their slim first-leg advantage as Sporting failed to reciprocate.
direct confrontation
The two clubs have only met three times so far, with one win each and one game ending in a draw.
The match, which was previewed before this season’s fixture, was former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s last European encounter.
October 21, 2025: Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid (Champions League, league stage) May 3, 2018: Atlético Madrid 1-0 Arsenal (Europa League semi-finals) April 26, 2018: Arsenal 1-1 Atlético Madrid (Europa League semi-finals)
What happened the last time they played against each other?
Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium in October in a Champions League league stage encounter, thanks to a powerful side shot in the second half.
It was a spectacular first half with very close margins on both sides, but goals from Gabriel, Martinelli and a brace from Gokeres shocked Simeone’s side and Arsenal were routed.
Have either teams ever won the European Cup/Champions League?
Neither team has ever been European champion.
Atlético reached the final in 2014 and 2016, but lost to arch-rivals Real Madrid both times.
Arsenal reached the final in 2006, but lost 2-1 to Barcelona.
Atlético team news
Midfielder Pablo Barrios injured his thigh in the match against Bilbao and is expected to miss the match, meaning he will be out for about a month.
Lookman was not included in the squad for this weekend’s match due to the bruise he picked up in the Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Sociedad, but could return for the game against Arsenal.
Defender David Hanko is also expected to remain sidelined due to injury.
Expected starting lineup:
Oblak (goalkeeper); Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri. Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Gonzalez. Griezmann, Alvarez
arsenal team news
Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze were both forced off in the win over Newcastle with muscle problems, but Eze later went off as a precaution and said he was “okay”, but Havertz is doubtful.
Midfielder Martin Zvimendi, who was sent off at half-time against Newcastle, will also face a late assessment.
Riccardo Calafioli is still recovering from a bruise and is a big doubt, while Julian Timber has been out for about a month with a groin problem and is likely to take some time to fully recover.
Mikel Merino is definitely out as he recovers from surgery on an ankle injury.
Expected starting lineup:
Raya (goalkeeper); White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie. Odegaard, Zvimendi, Reis. Saka, Gokeres, Martinelli
