Arsenal and Atletico Madrid go head-to-head in the Champions League on Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium, as the Gunners look to continue their impressive start to the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side are yet to concede in this year’s edition of the competition, with their defensive record a key reason behind their early success during the 2025/2026 campaign. Atletico have endured more of an inconsistent start to the season, winning just four of their opening nine league games in La Liga.
There could be some rotation from both sides as they look to deal with a hectic fixture schedule, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects both teams to line up.
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal manager Arteta has some key players currently sitting on the treatment table, but his current set of stars appeared to come through the game against Fulham unscathed. Piero Hincapie was once again unavailable for the Gunners, joining the likes of Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the injury list.
Arteta showed faith in Leandro Trossard on the left-hand side of attack against Fulham at the weekend, so it will be interesting to see whether the Arsenal boss sticks with the Belgian forward against Atletico.
Arteta Drops Arsenal Team News Update
Speaking to the media ahead of Arsenal’s game, Arteta confirmed that Hincapie would be available for selection to face Atletico Madrid…
“He will be available. I think [the Fulham] game came a bit too early for him, so he had another two very good sessions and now he’s ready to go.”
Arsenal Predicted XI
Arsenal Predicted XI: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Merino, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Arsenal Predicted Substitutes: Kepa (GK), Setford (GK), Calafiori (DEF), Hincapie (DEF), Timber (DEF), Saliba (DEF), Rice (MID), Norgaard (MID), Nwaneri (FWD), Martinelli (FWD), Dowman (FWD).
In their last Champions League clash, Arteta made multiple changes, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more rotation this time around. Arteta now has a squad where he’s capable of mixing up his side, despite injuries, and they shouldn’t lose too much in terms of quality.
Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Gabriel Martinelli, who earn a combined £670,000-a-week at the Emirates Stadium, could be rotated and benched for this game, with the Cristhian Mosquera, Mikel Merino, and Leandro Trossard beating them to a starting XI spot.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Diego Simeone was dealt an injury concern at the weekend against Osasuna, with Nico Gonzalez substituted in the first half of the game. The forward suffered a head injury, and due to concussions protocols, there is a chance he might not be available to face Arsenal on Tuesday.
Johnny Cardoso could also miss out for the away side, but Clement Lenglet is available once again following his suspension.
Atletico Madrid Predicted XI
Atletico Madrid Predicted XI: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Barrios, Gallagher, Almada; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Atletico Madrid Predicted Substitutes: Musso (GK), Hancko (DEF), Galan (DEF), Pubill (DEF), Molina (DEF), Koke (MID), Baena (FWD), Raspadori (FWD), Sorloth (FWD), Martin (FWD).
With Gonzalez potentially out injured, that could mean a return to the starting XI for former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. The English star has regularly been deployed out wide during his time at Atletico, but he could slot into the midfield with a change of formation on the cards.
