Semifinal on a knife-edge as Arsenal host Atletico

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid meet at the Emirates with their Champions League semifinal finely balanced at 1-1, setting up a decisive night with a place in the Budapest final at stake. 

Both sides arrive in strong form: Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham boosted their domestic title push, while Atletico eased past Valencia 2-0, allowing key players to rest. Bukayo Saka’s timely return has revitalised Mikel Arteta’s attack, adding sharpness and creativity just when it matters most. The Gunners, chasing a rare league and European double, are eyeing only their second Champions League final. Atletico, led by Diego Simeone, will rely on resilience and big-game experience, with Julian Alvarez under particular focus amid transfer speculation.

HIGHLIGHTS

**Arsenal have lost only one of their last 15 UEFA home matches against Spanish clubs (W9 D5), winning their last three without conceding, including a 4-0 victory over Atlético Madrid.

**The Gunners have won five and lost four of their nine previous Champions League two-legged ties against Spanish opposition. This is their second semi-final against a La Liga side, having previously beaten Villarreal 1-0 on aggregate in 2005–06.

**Arsenal remain the only unbeaten team in this season’s Champions League (W10 D3), matching their longest unbeaten European run from March 2005 to April 2006.

**Atletico have won just two of their last 13 UEFA matches against English sides (D3 L8), and have lost their last four UEFA away games against Premier League opposition.

**However, Atlético have an excellent semi-final record, winning all three of their previous UEFA semi-final ties against English teams, and six of their last seven UEFA semi-final ties overall.