Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news
Atletico Madrid host Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Atletico face the match with key absences in central defense and midfield, while Arsenal are without Kai Havertz and have fitness concerns over several players. Despite inconsistent form, Atletico remain strong at home in Europe, whereas Arsenal enter as the tournament's only unbeaten team with the best defensive record. Both sides are aiming to gain an advantage ahead of the second leg.
- ▪The match takes place at 8pm BST at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid.
- ▪Atletico Madrid are without Pablo Barrios and José María Giménez, but Julian Alvarez returns to the starting lineup.
- ▪Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz due to injury, though Bukayo Saka is fit to start after recovering from an Achilles issue.
- ▪Arsenal are the only unbeaten team in this season’s Champions League, with eight clean sheets in 12 games.
- ▪Atletico Madrid have scored 34 goals in this year’s competition, a club record, but have conceded heavily in recent knockout matches.
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