JUMP TO:
Chasing an automatic qualifying position in the Champions League table, Arsenal have a difficult task as they host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta has engineered a pair of victories so far through two league phase games, while Diego Simeone has three points from Atleti’s opening two European games.
The two teams are both in the midst of solid unbeaten runs. Atleti having gone five matches without defeat since the last time they visited England, suffering 3-2 loss to Liverpool in European play. Arsenal, meanwhile, also have not been beaten since they were at Anfield at the end of August.
The two sides are well aware that top eight in the standings earn an automatic qualification spot to the Round of 16, while teams finishing ninth through 24th must navigate a nervy knockout playoff matchup. It’s still early in the European campaign, but points lost at this stage could come back to bite teams later in the competition.
Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid score
| Score (Pregame) | Goal scorers | |
| Arsenal | – | – |
| Atletico Madrid | – | – |
Location: Emirates Stadium (London, England)
Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)
Starting lineups:
Arsenal (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Raya (GK) — 12. Timber, 2. Saliba, 6. Gabriel, 49. Lewis-Skelly — 10. Eze, 36. Zubimendi, 41. Rice — 7. Saka, 14. Gyokeres, 11. Martinelli.
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2, right to left): 13. Oblak (GK) — 14. Llorente, 24. Le Normand, 2. Gimenez, 17. Hancko — 20. Simeone, 8. Barrios, 6. Koke, 23. N. Gonzalez — 9. Sorloth, 19. Alvarez.
Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid live updates, highlights from Champions League
30 mins to kickoff: Arsenal players who would trigger an accumulation suspension with a booking today include Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice, who both picked up yellow cards in each of the team’s first two games.
Clement Lenglet is the only Atleti player in the same boat, and he has not been included in the starting XI, swapped out for Jose Gimenez at centre-back.
Another UCL night in N5 ✨ pic.twitter.com/76OfRmuDas
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 21, 2025
45 mins to kickoff: Arsenal are one of seven teams to have won their first two Champions League matches of the season. One of the others, Barcelona, are up 6-1 on Olympiacos at the moment, so they are likely to secure a third.
Can the Gunners follow suit? Other 2-0 teams in play today include Inter Milan and PSG, while Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Qarabag play tomorrow.
Starboy ⭐ pic.twitter.com/8DB2qKeLOj
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 21, 2025
1 hour to kickoff: Arsenal have clobbered Spanish opponents in recent months under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have won their last six games against La Liga opponents by a combined 13-3 scoreline. That stretch includes two games against Real Madrid and one against Athletic Club, a trio of matches they’ve won by a combined 7-1.
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Lineups are in! There’s no surprises for Arsenal, as Jurrien Timber starts at right-back instead of Ben White.
For Atletico Madrid, there are a few more quirks. Koke gets the nod in midfield as his rotation with Conor Gallagher continues. Up front, Antoine Griezmann begins on the bench with Alexander Sorloth given the start alongside Julian Alvarez.
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Diego Simeone has never lost to Arsenal in two career matches, having both come in the 2018 Europa League semifinals. Atleti secured a 1-1 draw at the Emirates in the first leg before winning 1-0 in the second leg.
1 hour 45 mins to kick: Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone will be facing off for the first time today, but the two already have developed a mutual respect for one another.
Arteta has spoken out ahead of the match about how he believes Simeone a role model.
“Obviously there is someone that I look up to and learn from him in many situations and what is for me outstanding is his passion. I think for how long he’s been in the game and in the same club with the same players, how you still have that hand and that capacity to transmit such an energy and willingness to win. It’s a very tough environment that we live in and to keep convincing players you have to be extraordinary well.”
2 hours to kickoff: It’s been a tough stay for Atletico Madrid in the English capital, as they were apparently without hot water at the Emirates while training in the rain the day before the match. That must have been an uncomfortable afternoon!
They’ve lodged a complaint with UEFA over the incident, and Arsenal have apologised.
Arsenal have apologised after Atletico Madrid complained about a lack of hot water at Emirates Stadium after training on Monday night. Issue was resolved within 40 minutes but Atletico opted to return to their hotel. Story with @alexkirkland: https://t.co/tSIJgoIlNz
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) October 21, 2025
Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid kick off time
This Champions League match kicks off from the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, October 21 at 8 p.m. local time in London, England. Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Tue, Oct. 21 | 3 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Tue, Oct. 21 | 12 p.m. PT |
| UK | Tue, Oct. 21 | 8 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Wed, Oct. 22 | 6 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Wed, Oct. 22 | 12:30 a.m. IST |
Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid lineups, team news
Arteta’s side avoided any new injuries in their win over Fulham, but Piero Hincapie remains a slight doubt despite returning to training after a groin issue.
Arsenal are still without Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, all sidelined with knee problems.
Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will have to watch their discipline, as a booking on Tuesday would see them suspended for the next European game. Arteta could rotate his squad, with Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli pushing for starts.
Arsenal starting lineup (4-3-3): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly — Eze, Zubimendi, Rice — Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Arsenal subs: Kepa (GK), Setford (GK), White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Trossard.
Simeone was thought likely to be without Nico Gonzalez after the winger suffered a head injury against Osasuna, but has been given the start in a late bid of fitness. Alongside him in midfield is Koke who continues to rotate with Conor Gallagher.
Up front, Antoine Griezmann is rested, with the prolific Alexander Sorloth given the nod up front alongside talisman Julian Alvarez.
Midfielder Johnny Cardoso remains out with an ankle injury, while defender Clement Lenglet is back in contention after serving a domestic suspension but only makes the bench with Jose Gimenez in the XI.
Atletico Madrid starting lineup (4-4-2): Oblak (GK) — Llorente, Le Normand, Gimenez, Hancko — Simeone, Barrios, Koke, N. Gonzalez — Sorloth, Alvarez.
Atletico Madrid subs: Musso (GK), Lenglet, Galan, Pubill, Ruggeri, Molina, Baena, Gallagher, Griezmann, Martin, Raspadori, Almada.
Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions:
