At a Glance:
- Raphinha has predicted who would win out of Arsenal and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final.
- The Barcelona winger made his feelings clear after Atletico Madrid qualified for the semi-final.
- Arsenal are set to face Sporting CP in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
If Arsenal manage to beat Sporting CP on Wednesday night, they will face Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side in a blockbuster two-legged Champions League semi-final.
Despite losing 2-1 to Barcelona on Tuesday, the Spanish giants’ 2-0 victory at the Spotify Nou Camp meant they booked their place among the last four of Europe’s elite competition.
If Arsenal end up facing Atletico Madrid, Mikel Arteta’s troops will have a tough test awaiting them as Diego Simeone is a seasoned coach in the Champions League, having taken his side to two finals.
As for the Gunners, the one and only time they have qualified for the final was in 2006 when Barcelona beat them 2-1.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta could pull off tactical masterstroke v Sporting if he changes Arsenal star’s position
Raphinha tells Atletico Madrid fans that Arsenal will beat them in potential Champions League semi-final
Earlier this season, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid went head-to-head and the English side ran riot in their statement 4-0 win.
Thanks to Viktor Gyokeres’ brace and goals from Gabriel Magalhaes as well as Gabriel Martinelli, the North Londoners dominated proceedings on the night.
DAZN Football shared a video of Raphinha gesturing to Atletico Madrid fans that they will be knocked out in the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they could play against either Arsenal or Sporting.
"¡Pa' fuera!" 🔜⏭️
— DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) April 14, 2026
El mensaje de Raphinha a la afición del Atlético de Madrid después de caer eliminados en Champions 👀#UCL pic.twitter.com/amy7tGrcdN
The Brazilian made the claim after Barcelona’s defeat to the Madrid-based side and was even heard saying, “Pa fuera’, which translates to “out” in Spanish.
Arsenal and Atletico Madrid’s head-to-head record
Arsenal fans will be hoping that Raphinha’s prediction comes true if their side end up locking horns with Atletico Madrid.
Based on both sides’ head-to-head record, the potential showdown will be tightly-contested.
| Head-to-head record | Atletico Madrid | Arsenal |
| Matches | 3 | 3 |
| Wins | 1 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Losses | 1 | 1 |
Notably, Atletico Madrid knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League in 2018, beating them 2-1 over two legs.
If Mikel Arteta’s side have a date with destiny against the side from the Spanish capital, it will be fascinating to see whether they end up seeking revenge eight years later.
