Arsenal aims to extend their perfect start in the 2025-26 Champions League when they face Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The Gunners sit among six unbeaten teams after two 2-0 victories, while Atletico seeks their first away win of the season following a 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Arsenal enters the Matchday 3 fixture with two wins from two in the league phase, scoring four goals and conceding none in 2-0 triumphs over Athletic Bilbao and Olympiacos. This positions them with six points, leading Qarabag and trailing Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich on goal difference. A victory would mark Arsenal's 100th in the Champions League proper and extend their record of six straight wins against Spanish clubs in the competition. The Gunners also boast 11 consecutive home wins in the league phase or group stage without conceding, bolstered by a recent 1-0 Premier League win over Fulham.
Atletico Madrid, under Diego Simeone, rebounded from a 3-2 loss to Liverpool on Matchday 1 with a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on September 30, climbing into the top 10 of the standings. They have won three straight across competitions, including a 1-0 La Liga win over Osasuna via Thiago Almada's goal, though they drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo pre-international break. Notably, Atletico have scored in all 11 competitive games this season but remain winless away, with two losses and three draws in five road outings.
Historically, the sides drew 1-1 at the Emirates in the 2017-18 Europa League semi-final first leg, before Atletico won 1-0 in the return. Sports Mole predicts a 2-1 Arsenal win, citing Atletico's road struggles despite their attacking potency.
Team News
Arsenal could be without Piero Hincapie (groin doubt), Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus (knee injuries). Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi risk suspension for Matchday 4 if booked. Possible lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokores, Martinelli.
Atletico will miss Nico Gonzalez (head injury) and Johnny Cardoso (ankle), but Clement Lenglet returns from suspension. Possible lineup: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Barrios, Gallagher, Almada; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Arsenal's defense has conceded just three goals in 11 games across all competitions, setting up a test against Atletico's attack.