Lineups Locked: Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid in a Champions League Lineup Showdown

Lineups announced

Arsenal and Atlético Madrid revealed their starting elevens for the Emirates clash in the third group-stage game of the Champions League. Arsenal fielded a strong spine with Raya in goal and a back line anchored by Gabriel and Saliba, supported by Rice and Zubimendi in the middle and a forward line featuring Martinelli and Saka.

Atlético responded with a compact setup under Diego Simeone, naming a resilient defense and a midfield engine room, with Álvarez and Sorloth leading the attack and the experienced Oblak between the posts.

In the buildup, Mikel Arteta spoke warmly about Simeone, saying his impact at the club has been exceptional, and that his teams reflect the coach’s identity clearly.

He also stressed that Arsenal must maintain the focus and resilience that have defined their season so far, insisting that success will come from consistent performance rather than hype.

Tactics, notes and expectations

Arsenal’s defense has been outstanding this season, recording multiple clean sheets and a compact, well-drilled backline that has limited chances for opponents. The team has been disciplined in maintaining structure and balance across the pitch.

Atlético, for their part, arrive with momentum after a string of solid results and an unbeaten run across competitions, including a notable win in domestic play and a steady run of positive performances.

In Europe, Atlético started with a 3-2 loss to Liverpool but quickly responded with a dominant 5-1 victory in the subsequent group game. The attack is spearheaded by Álvarez, who has contributed goals and assists this season.

Arteta knows that facing such organization and resilience will be a true test, but he emphasized Arsenal’s maturity and balance between defense and attack, noting the team’s character to navigate this stage. He even applauded a social‑media initiative from the players showing engagement and team spirit on a bus after a win.

Change in mindset

Discussing the evolution in Arsenal’s performances, Arteta said the team gathered information to understand last season’s lapses, then applied what they learned. He argued that the difference between a win and a draw can hinge on fine margins, but the squad has shown greater maturity and threat this season.

When asked about whether Arsenal feel more confident after other results around them, he replied that while discussions are common after each round, the focus remains on winning every game rather than chasing headlines. He also confirmed the availability of Piero Henckapie for the Atletico clash, after an earlier knock kept him out of the Fulham game.