Atleti and Arsenal are Pursuing Their Maiden Champions League Trophy

Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal are still vying for their first-ever Champions League trophy. However, only one of them can tick this box off their bucket list, as these two teams will square off in the semi-finals, starting on Wednesday evening at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The winner of this two-legged tie will face either PSG or Bayern Munich in the final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30.

Atletico Madrid made it this far after eliminating Barcelona in the semi-finals. However, Diego Simeone’s men are in shaky form, having lost four of their last five matches in all competitions. Arsenal are also in a slump, winning only two of their last five (D1, L2).

Between the two, SBOTOP football fans can argue that the Gunners are under more pressure than Los Rojiblancos after flopping on their first two real chances of winning silverware this season.

 

Talking Points

Atletico Madrid have a revamped approach

Atletico Madrid have progressed to their first European semi-finals since the 2016-17 campaign, as Diego Simeone has drastically changed their approach this term. Long-regarded as a pragmatic and gun-shy side, Los Rojiblancos recorded their highest-ever goal tally in the Champions League with 34 goals, eclipsing their previous best from the 2013-14 season (26). During the Round of 16, they notably outscored Tottenham 8-4 on aggregate.

Recently, Atletico Madrid have scored in each of their last 12 matches in all competitions, including a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday, which ended their four-game losing run in the Spanish top-flight and strengthened their hold of a Top 4 place. Alexander Sorloth (brace) and Antoine Griezmann led the way for Atletico Madrid against Athletic Bilbao, and these two forwards are expected to lead in the final third, since Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez are listed as doubts ahead of Wednesday.

Pablo Barrios (ankle) is also unlikely to play against Arsenal. However, Johnny Cardoso, Rodri Mendoza, and Marcos Llorente could be recalled in the middle of the park to partner with Koke, Alex Baena, and Guiliano Simeone.

 

Busy pivotal week for Arsenal

Arsenal are coming off a much-needed win against Newcastle United in the Premier League, as Eberechi Eze scored the winner early in the ninth minute. After the first leg against Atletico Madrid, they’ll face Fulham this weekend, and they remain under immense pressure to keep winning, as Manchester City are in hot pursuit of the top spot.

Mikel Arteta faces the unenviable task of balancing their European and domestic commitments, and having a growing injury list doesn’t help. Mikel Merino (foot) and Jurrien Timber (ankle) are not available against Atletico Madrid, while Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz, and Eberechi Eze are iffy to play.

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka made an encouraging cameo off the bench against the Magpies, and his return from a five-game absence is certainly a major boost to the Gunners’ frontline.

 

History

Arsenal walloped Atletico Madrid with a 4-0 scoreline during the league phase last October at the Emirates, as Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres (brace) were on the scoresheet. The Gunners finished on top of the Champions League standings, winning all eight of their league phase games, while Los Rojiblancos finished 14th with four wins, one draw, and three losses.

Atletico Madrid have won just two of their last 12 matches against English clubs in UEFA competition (D2, L8), and they have a mixed record in the Champions League semi-finals (W3, L3).

The Gunners have won in each of their last seven Champions League matches with La Liga sides, and they’ve won five of their last nine two-legged Champions League ties against them (L4), including a quarter-final win over Real Madrid last term.

 

Betting Tip

The Champions League 2026 odds believe it’s a toss-up between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal in the opening leg. Arsenal have the slight edge at 2.46 odds, whereas Atletico Madrid are close at 2.70, and a draw is at 3.07 in the 1X2 market.

First legs in the latter stages of a tournament can be cagey, so we can expect these two teams to put up enough Champions League 2026 highlights on Wednesday, hence our recommended bet, because it’s difficult to choose a winner. Don’t be surprised if this turns out to be a draw, either.

Punters may also want to add Under 2.50 at 1.68 and Under 2.25 at 1.93 to the parlay. Moreover, a Correct Score of 4-0 in favour of the Gunners – the result of their previous encounter this term – seems like a long shot at 105.00.

   

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