These two clubs have only ever met once before, with Atlético Madrid advancing through to the 2018 Europa League Final; Antoine Griezmann snatching a late equaliser in North London, before Diego Costa was the only scorer in Madrid a week later.
Arsenal though have won each of their last six meetings with La Liga clubs, the first time a Premier League club has ever achieved this. Los Colchoneros have won only two of their last nine visits to England.
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid preview
Will last season's semi-finalists Arsenal continue their perfect start to this Champions League campaign? So far, Mikel Arteta's team have began the league phase with a pair of 2-0 victories, one of only six clubs to boast maximum points. First, goals from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and then Leandro Trossard saw the Gunners battle to a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at San Mamés. A fortnight later, Martinelli broke the deadlock again, this time during a comfortable 2-0 victory over Olympiacos, in which Bukayo Saka's late strike rubber stamped the points.
Arteta's side finished third in last season's league phase, before going onto reach only the club's third Champions League semi-final. This year, after this fixture, the Gunners will also welcome Bayern Munich and Kairat to North London, while travelling to Slavia Prague, Club Brugge and Inter Milan, so will be looking to get points on the board now and cement a top eight finish as quickly as possible.
That's because, the prize Gooners worldwide are truly dreaming about is the Premier League title. Saturday evening's 1-0 victory over Fulham, Trossard bundling home the night's only goal from a corner, leaves them three points clear at the top, and four points above crisis club Liverpool. Here, can Arteta's team claim a sixth successive victory across all competitions?
As for Atlético Madrid, considering Diego Simeone has now been in charge for 14 years and 750 matches, it's the same old Atleti right, or is it? Well, as appears to be the case on a bi-annual basis, los Colchoneros attempt to undergo a style change which doesn't work, so they abandon that and revert back to what has served them well for a decade and a half. Atleti endured a pretty nightmarish start to this season, winning only one of their first five La Liga matches, beaten by Espanyol on the opening weekend, before being held to underwhelming 1-1 draws at Alavés and Mallorca.
In fact, Atlético Madrid are still yet to win an away game in any competition this season, but have won five on the spin a the Metropolitano. The highlight of their campaign to date was hammering fierce rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in the derby last month; Julián Álvarez's stunning free-kick will live long in the memory. Saturday night's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Osasuna, Thiago Almada the match-winner, propelled them up to fourth, eight points adrift the leaders, but hoping to close the gap further next weekend, considering Real Madrid and Barcelona face each-other in the Clásico on Sunday.
Simeone's side's Champions League results so far pretty much encapsulate their inconsistencies in a microcosm. On matchday one, Marcos Llorente's brace saw them fight back from 2-0 down to draw level with Liverpool, only for the Reds to snatch victory in stoppage time at Anfield. However, 13 nights later, Atleti absolutely demolished Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in the Spanish capital; Giacomo Raspadori, Robin Le Normand, Antoine Griezmann, Giuliano Simeone and Álvarez all on target. In short, Arsenal are the defensively solid impenetrable team while Atleti are wildly inconsistent, how the tables have turned, making the Gunners favourites to pick up all three points in North London.
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 2.
- Arsenal Wins: Zero. Draws: 1. Atlético Madrid Wins: 1.
Arsenal team news
Next in action against Crystal Palace on Sunday, very little rotation is expected from Mikel Arteta, who remains without Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
If Arteta does want to freshen up his team, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Benjamin White, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli, who has opened the scoring in both Champions League fixtures so far, all came into the team against Olympiacos.
Having been booked twice already, midfield duo Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi would sit out the trip to Prague in a fortnight if cautioned. Lastly, Piero Hincapié's sole appearance for the club to date came in Bilbao, introduced in the 89th minute, but the Ecuadorian is now fit and able to make more of an impression.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Atlético Madrid: (4-3-3): Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Trossard, Gyökeres.
Arsenal player to watch vs Atlético Madrid
All three of Viktor Gyökeres' goals for Arsenal have come at home, while he netted six times in last season's league phase for Sporting, so can he end his current barren run?
Atlético Madrid team news
USA international Johnny Cardoso is sidelined while winger Nico González is a doubt, having been forced off following a head collision against Osasuna on Saturday.
Meantime, Diego Simeone's son Giuliano as well as Alexander Sørloth could return to attack, with former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher likely to be left in reserve.
Jan Oblak, José María Giménez, captain Koke and Antoine Griezmann, scorer that night, all started the Europa League semi-final between the two in 2018 in North London, 2,735 days ago to be exact.
Atlético Madrid predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Le Normand, Hancko; Koke, Barrios, Giuliano, Almada; Sørloth, Álvarez.
Atlético Madrid player to watch vs Arsenal
No doubting who Atlético Madrid's danger man is; it's Julián Álvarez. The Argentine striker has scored seven goals already this season, including a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano, followed by a double in the Derbi Madrileño, so can he add to his tally?
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid prediction
We are backing Arsenal to both win and keep a clean sheet because, under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have won all eight home Champions League group stages matches, scoring 23 goals and conceding zero, a trend we're forecasting will continue on Tuesday night: Arsenal 2-0 Atlético Madrid.
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on TV channel?
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video.
- USA: TUDN USA, UniMás & Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on live streaming?
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video.
- USA: TUDN.com, Univision NOW & Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid in the Champions League?
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid takes place on Tuesday 21 October 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).