Arsenal will host Atlético Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, with kickoff set for 21:00 CET at Arsenal Stadium in London.
The first leg in Madrid finished 1-1, with Viktor Gyökeres and Julián Alvarez both scoring from the penalty spot, so this tie is finely poised heading into north London.
This is a huge night for both clubs. Arsenal are still the only unbeaten team left in the competition, while Atlético arrive with real belief after taking more attacking risks in the first leg and pushing Arsenal to the limit in a match that UEFA described as leaving the tie “on a knife edge.”
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid Match Details, Date, Time, Predictions, Lineups & More
- Tournament: UEFA Champions League semi-final, second leg.
- Match Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026.
- Time: 21:00 CET.
- Venue: Arsenal Stadium.
- Location: London, England.
- First leg: Atlético Madrid 1-1 Arsenal.
Arsenal have been strong in Europe all season, finishing the campaign with 10 wins, 3 draws and 0 losses so far in UEFA’s semi-final preview. At the same time, Atlético have built momentum through a tough knockout path that included wins over Club Brugge, Tottenham and Barcelona.
Team News and Analysis
Arsenal
UEFA’s official preview says Arsenal remain unbeaten in the competition, have kept eight clean sheets, and have conceded only six goals. Their latest form guide listed them at WDWLDL, with a 3-0 win over Fulham as their most recent domestic result before this second leg.
The key to Arsenal’s night is balance. They have the defensive structure to stay calm under pressure and the attacking quality to hurt Atlético if the game opens up. UEFA also highlighted that Arsenal beat Atlético 4-0 at home in the league phase, which will give Mikel Arteta’s side a big psychological lift at the Emirates.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético’s official club page said they reached the semi-finals after eliminating Club Brugge, Tottenham Hotspur and FC Barcelona, and UEFA’s preview noted that Diego Simeone’s side produced the greater attacking threat as the first leg wore on. Their latest form guide in UEFA showed WDWLDL, with a 2-0 win at Valencia as their most recent result.
Atlético’s big advantage is their knockout experience. Simeone’s team can suffer without the ball and still stay alive in a tie because of their structure, discipline and front-line quality.
UEFA specifically pointed to Julián Alvarez as the player to watch, while Griezmann and Llorente remain crucial to their chances.
Head-to-Head Record
Arsenal and Atlético have met four times in UEFA competition, with the overall record standing at 2 wins each and no draws in the rivalry summary it provided for this tie.
Arsenal’s 4-0 home win in the league phase this season, while Atlético had won their famous 2017/18 Europa League semi-final clash over two legs.
| Category | Arsenal | Atlético Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Recent league-phase meeting | Won 4-0 | Lost 0-4 |
| Overall UEFA meetings | 2 | 2 |
| Current semi-final score | 1 | 1 |
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid Predicted XI Lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3)
- Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Hincapié; Rice, Ødegaard, Zubimendi; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
Atlético Madrid (4-4-2)
- Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Le Normand, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Álex Baena; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Key Players to Watch
For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka is the headline threat, while Declan Rice and Viktor Gyökeres are central to both control and finishing. For Atlético, Julián Alvarez is the danger man after scoring in the first leg, with Antoine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente giving Simeone the big-game experience he needs.
Match Prediction
This feels like a classic second-leg semi-final: tense, tactical and decided by small details. Arsenal have the better overall European numbers and home advantage, while Atlético have enough quality and experience to make life very difficult.
The first-leg 1-1 draw keeps everything alive, but Arsenal’s home record against Spanish sides and their unbeaten Champions League run make them slight favorites.
- Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Atlético Madrid.
Where to Watch Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid
| Region | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| USA | Paramount+ / TUDN / DAZN |
| UK | HBO Max / Amazon Prime / BBC* |
| Spain | Telefónica / Movistar Plus+ |
| Germany | DAZN / Amazon Prime / ZDF* |
| Australia | Stan Sport |
When is Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid?
The second leg is on Tuesday, 5 May 2026 at 21:00 CET.
Where is the match being played?
It will be played at Arsenal Stadium in London.
What was the first-leg result?
The first leg in Madrid finished 1-1.
Who scored in the first leg?
Viktor Gyökeres and Julián Alvarez both scored from the penalty spot.
Who are the key players to watch?
For Arsenal, Saka, Rice and Gyökeres stand out; for Atlético, Alvarez, Griezmann and Llorente are the main names.
