Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid: Champions League possible lineups, what managers said
By Joel Masibo, May 5, 2026Arsenal struck first in the first leg at the Estadio Metropolitano on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Viktor Gyökeres converting a 44th-minute penalty, the first Swede to score in a Champions League semi-final, and Atletico Madrid’s Julián Álvarez levelling with a spot kick of his own four minutes before the hour.
The two sides will meet for the second-leg tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta plans ahead of the busy schedule. Arsenal’s 4-0 win against the La Liga side on home soil in the league phase, when Gyökeres struck twice, will boost Mikel Arteta’s confidence, while Atleti’s recent record against English opposition offers further encouragement, with just two wins in their last 13 UEFA meetings (D3 L8).
However, when the teams last met over two legs, in the 2017/18 Europa League semi-finals, Atleti edged the tie 2-1. Ahead of the meeting, both clubs are chasing a first European crown, but first Arsenal aim to reach a first final since 2005/06 and Atleti seek another opportunity to etch their name on the trophy after near misses in 2013/14 and 2015/16.
What managers said
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach: “I can’t wait. I mean, I feel the energy in and amongst the team, 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.”
Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal forward: “I think we are in this position now for a reason. We’ve done very well throughout the season but of course now these games… are what it all comes down to, to get us over the line. It’s been incredible so far, what we have done, but we have to do it now.”
Possible lineups
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli
Atleti: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Le Normand, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann
Form guide
Arsenal
Form: WDWLDL (most recent first)
Latest: Arsenal 3-0 Fulham, Saturday, May 2, 2026, English Premier League
Atleti
Form: WDWLDL
Latest: Valencia 0-2 Atleti, Saturday, May 2, 2026, Spanish Liga