If someone had told an Arsenal fan a few seasons ago that their club would be one game away from a UEFA Champions League final and six points clear in the Premier League, they might have seen it as the ultimate dream come true.
But despite being in that position during the ongoing campaign, a certain familiar vulnerability seems to be creeping in.
The Gunners competed for four titles at the beginning of this year. In a few weeks that number has halved, and the unwanted ‘bottler’ label hangs over the club that is eyeing a first Champions League final in twenty years.
And no easy task awaits in the opposition dugout, with an indomitable Atletico Madrid side led by Diego Simeone, who maintained his unbeaten home record in knockout matches against English sides during last week’s 1-1 first leg draw.
Although the Madrid match lacked the theatrics of the nine-goal blockbuster in the other semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, there was plenty of entertainment. The referee pointed to the spot three times, with both Arsenal and Atletico Madrid changing from the spot once each, while the former was awarded a third penalty before being controversially ruled out following a VAR intervention.
«What I’m incredibly angry about is how on earth the penalty against Ebz (Eberechi Eze) is being overturned. If you have to watch it 13 times… That’s a goal that can change the course of the season. This can’t happen,» Arteta said after the match.
On the attacking front, perhaps surprisingly, it was Atlético who dominated, but Arsenal’s prized defence, who have conceded just six goals this season, held firm in the face of danger.
Team news
With the league title also to fight for, Arteta was careful not to mix things up too much against Fulham this weekend. He made just four changes to the side, with key man Declan Rice playing in the 11th role, while Bukayo Saka also earned a start.
Saka proved his fitness with a goal and an assist, while Viktor Gyokeres grabbed a brace as Arsenal won 3-0 to liven the atmosphere heading into midweek.
However, the club will be concerned about the availability of captain and midfielder Martin Odegaard, who was left out of the squad against Fulham after playing just under an hour in the first leg. Eze appears to be the leading candidate to take his place if the worst comes to the worst for Arteta.
Atletico, on the other hand, has placed all its chips on the continental competition. With next year’s participation in the Champions League all but confirmed and the league title out of reach, Simeone completely revamped his side as they defeated Valencia 2-0, with all starters rested on the bench against Arsenal.
Surprisingly, neither side will see any player miss the second leg due to suspension, with Atletico’s David Hancko the only recipient of a yellow card in the first leg.
Simeone comes into the match with a wealth of experience in the competition and is in charge of a fourth semi-final tie with Atletico, while Arteta himself takes pride in being the first Arsenal manager to reach the podium in consecutive seasons.
However, recent history favors Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has become the first Arsenal manager to lead the club to the semi-finals of the Champions League in consecutive seasons. | Photo credit: AP
Mikel Arteta has become the first Arsenal manager to lead the club to the semi-finals of the Champions League in consecutive seasons. | Photo credit: AP
The two sides had met in London during the league phase, with the Gunners beating their opponent 4-0 as Gyokeres scored twice, while the ‘Gabriel’ duo – Magalhaes and Martinelli – also got on the scoresheet.
But the season has changed a lot since then. And although football fanatics are calling the clash lackluster compared to the other side of the draw, such claims will not hurt either side as a win on Wednesday leaves them just 90 minutes away from etching their names in European history.
Predicted XIs
Arsenal: David Raya (gk), Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Maghalaes, Piero Hincapie, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Bukay Saka, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres
Atletico Madrid: Jan Oblak (gk), Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri, Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Johnny Cardoso, Ademola Lookman, Antoinne Griezmann, Julian Alvarez
Where can you watch Arsenal vs Atletico in the Champions League?
The match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network in India. It will also be streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.
Published on May 4, 2026
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