Arsenal will be looking to progress into the Champions League final for just the second time in their history when they take on Atletico Madrid twice over the next seven days.
The Gunners eased past Sporting CP and Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-final and round of 16, respectively, setting up an enthralling match-up with Diego Simeone’s Atletico. While playing in a European semi-final naturally elicits tension, the North Londoners will be glad to take a break from the intense Premier League title race they find themselves in.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit three points clear at the summit of the English top flight after narrowly beating Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon. Manchester City have a game in hand over the Gunners, although the pressure will be on Pep Guardiola’s team to deliver when they visit Merseyside to face Everton next Monday.
Atletico will be Arteta’s priority for the time being, and despite Simeone’s outfit’s poor recent form, they’ll certainly provide Arsenal with a tough test. The Spanish giants have moved away from their inherently pragmatic style, but remain a tough team to play against.
With that said, here are the key battles that we believe could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the game at the Emirates.
William Saliba vs Julian Alvarez
Arsenal should mostly be capable of negating Atletico’s threat. While the La Liga side boast an array of talented attacking players, the Gunners have the best defence in the world and have dealt with much more intimidating frontlines.
However, Simeone has one player in his ranks of genuine world-class quality. Julian Alvarez, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, is an outstanding player who can cause any team on the planet issues.
The Argentine’s elusive movement, relentless pressing and exceptional technical quality makes him a real threat. It’ll be up to William Saliba, Arsenal’s most in-form defender, to deal with Alvarez’s dynamic attacking instincts.
The timing. The execution.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 29, 2025
It's just vintage William Saliba ™️ pic.twitter.com/3IE2kc83pq
Eberechi Eze vs Nahuel Molina
Arsenal are struggling for goals, with the Gunners failing to score more than once in a single game since mid-March, when they beat Leverkusen 2-0 at the Emirates.
None of Arteta’s attackers are playing at their highest level, barring Eberechi Eze. The creative midfielder scored a stunning winner against Newcastle on Saturday, demonstrating the magical quality he possesses in the final third.
If anyone in Arsenal’s ensemble is likely to produce a moment that gives the Gunners the momentum in the tie, it’s Eze. He’ll likely be deployed off the left again to accommodate Martin Odegaard, and thus, he’ll be up against experienced full-back Nahuel Molina.
Another stunning goal for the Ebs collection 🤩 pic.twitter.com/OyK6dNV3hs
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 26, 2026
Martin Odegaard vs Koke
While Martin Odegaard divides opinion in Arsenal’s midfield, his influence on the Gunners’ build-up is undeniable. The Norwegian dictates the North Londoners’ in-possession game when he’s on the pitch, constantly getting on the ball and looking to progress it into dangerous areas.
Arsenal’s skipper will be pitted directly against Atletico’s own playmaker in Koke. The 35-year-old has aged like fine wine, still conducting the game in the middle of the park for the Madrid-based side.
However, if Odegaard is on it, popping up in the half-spaces and threading the ball into Arsenal’s forwards, then Koke will have to be more concerned with what the Gunners’ captain is doing, rather than setting the tempo with his own passing.
