Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 27 April 2026 19:18, UK

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Atletico Madrid and Arsenal will face off at Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

The Gunners are hoping to make it to just the second Champions League final in their history, and will hope to emerge with something to protect at the Emirates Stadium next week.

Arsenal had been on a hugely damaging run of form, winning just one of their last six games across all competitions and losing four of them.

Saturday’s victory over Newcastle United has eased the nerves slightly, however, and Mikel Arteta’s team hope to come out swinging in the final six, potentially seven games of their season.

Arsenal’s recent form has not suggested that they can remain perfect, but the return of the likes of Bukayo Saka will boost confidence at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal

Arsenal are the favourites to win the Champions League, despite their recent run of poor form.

The Gunners were imperious in the group stage, winning all eight games and beating the likes of Atleti and Bayern Munich.

But there has not recently been a sign to suggest that this team is the same team that dominated those early group stage games last year.

Arsenal have looked shaky and nervous for weeks now, and could still walk away from this season with nothing to show for their dominance earlier in the campaign.

But if Arteta can provoke a response from his players ahead of the final games of the season, the Gunners could still be on course to win a historic double.

The Premier League leaders’ trip to Madrid can be watched live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate on Wednesday, and will kick off at 20:00 BST.

Supercomputer predicts Atleti vs Arsenal

Arsenal are not the only team to have struggled of late. Atleti have been on an extremely difficult run, and narrowly beat Athletic Club on Saturday.

Diego Simeone’s side have won just two of their last nine games across all competitions, and were beaten in the Copa Del Rey final by Real Sociedad earlier this month.

Nevertheless, the Argentine will be sure to get his team and their fans up for Wednesday’s game, and he will undoubtedly have a plan up his sleeve.

Opta‘s supercomputer has given Arsenal a narrow 37 per cent chance of winning the game, compared to Atleti’s 35.1 per cent.

The Gunners do not necessarily need to win, however. A draw would leave them well placed for next week’s second leg in London, and the supercomputer has backed them at 71.12 per cent to progress to the final.