After returning from the national break, Arsenal footballers managed to build on the good results they were collecting before the break. They added three more points to the table after winning the small London derby against Fulham, whom they beat by the narrowest possible margin. No time to celebrate, though. For tonight, they'll have to face Mikel Arteta's a tough Champions League match. Arsenal welcome Spain's Atlético Madrid to Emirates Stadium in the world's most prestigious club competitionwho has a lot to give back after their last doubleheader. Will the Gunners be able to shoot down the team of Argentine stormtrooper Diego Simeone in front of their home crowd or will Atlético once again challenge the North London team? We will have to wait a little longer for the answer. For now, let's move on to the most important things to know ahead of Arsenal's clash with Atlético.
Form
I wrote this in my last blog and I have to repeat it this time. Due to the national team break. it is not possible to evaluate the current form of the teams very comprehensively or objectively, but of course I will try to do it as best as I can. We also have to take into account the fact that we cannot just mix league and cup results or performances. Or we can, but we can't just stick to that. Of course, current form and the proverbial wave are one thing that can have a significant impact on a team's performance, whether positive or negative. In any case, we must not neglect another aspect, which is the results in a given competition.
Arsenal
Arsenal's form has been discussed before this weekend's league game, so I'll make it a little more brief today. But I must certainly mention that Arsenal managed to win their league match after returning from the national break. Mikel Arteta's charges won at Craven Cottage thanks to Leandro Trossard's goal 1:0 and, moreover, due to the loss of Liverpool, they have once again jumped away from their pursuers at the top of the table. Across all competitions, it was Arsenal fifth win in a row, but as I wrote a few lines above, in my opinion it will not play any major role on Tuesday. All the more so when the winning streak is "broken" by the national break.
I see this as a more important factor, how Arsenal are doing in the Champions League so far. Two games, two wins and a score of 4:0. There is probably nothing to complain about here. In the first round the Gunners won 2:0 at Athletic Bilbao, then at home they beat Olympiakos by the same score. From this point of view, the players from the English capital can go into the match with Atlético Madrid completely relaxed.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid are also in very solid form in the last five competitive games. Four victories, among which stands out especially the home lA 5:2 win against Real Madrid and a single draw, which was also a long shorthanded goal for Diego Simeone's charges. In terms of numbers, it looks positive for the Spanish team. After the national break, Atlético played a league match at home against Osasuna, who they beat in the same way as Arsenal beat Fulham, 1-0. From this perspective, Arteta and Simeon can shake hands.
However, the Spanish team's record in the Champions League is slightly worse. Sure, we've only had two rounds, so it's too early to draw any conclusions, but the numbers speak clearly. Two games, three points. In the first round of the millionaire competition, the Spanish capital's footballers fell to Liverpool after a fierce shootout, losing 2:3 at Anfield. In their next Champions League appearance, however, Atlético put the bad start to the competition behind them, beating Frankfurt 5-1 at home. Although the Spanish side certainly didn't start their European journey badly, they will be under some uncomfortable pressure at the Emirates Stadium from the opening whistle.
Team and expected line-up
One of the best teams on the European scene in a long time will visit London on Tuesday night, and so Mikel Arteta can be expected to select the strongest possible line-up. The question is, what is the best starting eleven for the match against Diego Simeone's side? In addition, we cannot ignore the Gunners' crowded calendar, which will surely play a role in the choice of the line-up. Let's take a look together at the most likely composition of Arsenal's starting eleven.
David Raya
If there's one thing we can count on, it's that in goal from the first minute David Raya. The Spanish goalkeeper is Arsenal's number one and he will definitely not be missing from the starting line-up against Atlético Madrid.
Jurriën Timber
I'm not so sure about the positions of extreme defenders this time.. Given Ben White's ongoing health problems, which have affected his minutes to date, he is the logical choice at right wingback. Jurriën Timber. But there is one big but. The aforementioned demanding schedule and spreading the load among multiple players. Although I wouldn't put my hand in the fire for that, so I think the Dutch defender will blow the opening whistle again on Tuesday night. This weekend's Premier League game may be about something else, but we'll get to that next time.
William Saliba
I don't expect any changes in the centre of defence since the last competitive match. Managers generally don't like to make many changes in the defensive line and even more so when the defensive line is working. And that is exactly the case at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's charges have managed to keep a clean sheet eight times in eleven games this season, conceding only three goals so far. To get back to the right-back position for the Atlético game. should therefore operate William Saliba.
Gabriel
The French stopper must not, and will not. his partner will not be missed Gabriel. This weekend, the big Brazilian reminded everyone that he is not only valid defensively, but also in front of the opponent's goal. Gabriel assisted the only goal of the game against Fulham and thus made a bold contribution to the three points.
Riccardo Calafiori
Just as I'm not clear on the right side of the defense, I'm not clear on the left. I don't think there's any doubt that he's currently the number one left back Riccardo Calafiori I don't think anyone doubts However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the Spanish manager will be looking for him when selecting the line-up for the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid. In fact, Myles Lewis-Skelly or the already definitely healed Piero Hincapié can start on the left flank. Personally, I'm leaning towards Mikel Arteta betting on the Italian international again.
Martín Zubimendi
I have to admit, I'm a little overwhelmed by the start Martin Zubimendi surprised in Saturday's game against Fulham. After returning from the national team reunion, he got an extra day offand that's why I thought we wouldn't see him on the pitch against Fulham. I expected Mikel Arteta to save his compatriot for the Atlético Madrid game. Maybe the Spanish manager will prove me wrong again, but I assume that Zubimendi will also take the field from the first minute in the Champions League.
Declan Rice
Next to Martín Zubimendi, or rather in front of him, should move Declan Rice. I've said it many times before and I'll keep saying it, Declan Rice is one of Arsenal's most important players. When the England international is on the pitch, the Gunners are simply and simply stronger. It's as simple as that.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze jumped into the number 10 position as expected against Fulham and even though he didn't play his best game, I think he will be part of the starting eleven in today's Champions League game. The centre of midfield is where Mikel Arteta probably has the most options, but I don't think he will want to try any new things against a team as experienced as Atlético. Eberechi Eze will start as game creator. But there are countless variants. Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri or even Leandro Trossard can play as a sub.
Bukayo Saka
Another name that probably no one doubts that he'll be in the starting lineup. Bukayo Saka is one of Arsenal's biggest offensive leaders and one of the biggest personalities in the cabinet. This is confirmed by the fact that he wears the captain's armband in Martin Ødegaard's absence. It will be no different against Atlético Madrid. The England international will start on the right wing and with the captain's armband.
Gabriel Martinelli
In the Fulham game I made a mistake at left wing. Now Mikel Arteta is again facing a tough decision, but this time I think, that he's really gonna show up at Gabriel Martinelli. Leandro Trossard scored the only and therefore the winning goal of the last league game at Fulham, but as part of the rotation and saving of forces, the Brazilian international will start from the opening whistle tonight. If not, I'll be pretty surprised.
Viktor Gyökeres
On the tip of the offense, the struggling shooter Viktor Gyökeres. Mikel Arteta has no other natural option for the number nine position at the moment and even if he did, I believe he would still hold his charges. Despite many critics, there are those among the experts or former players, who praise the contribution of Viktor Gyökeres. Among such players is the legendary striker and all-time top scorer of the English league Alan Shearer, who said that the Swedish international brought something new to Arsenal's game. He also added that Gyökeres should work on his productivity, but that he believes the goals will come from his boot. Will we see the Swedish striker's first accurate goal in the Champions League in Arsenal colours today?
Substitutes
As the Champions League rules allow teams to to add up to twelve substitutes to the rosterso we should see all the A-team players on Tuesday night. I mean, all the healthy players. There shouldn't be any substitute goalkeepers on the bench. Kepa Arrigabalaga and Tommy Setford. The fielders should be ready to hit the field Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Piero Hincapié, Christian Nørgaard, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard. If I'm counting correctly, there should be one more seat left on the bench. If the Spanish manager decides to use it, he will have to add some of the youngsters from the academy.
Kai Havertz, who is very close to returning to full training, will not be ready for the Atlético game. As well as Havertz, they will miss Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Martin Ødegaard.
About the opponent
Atlético Madrid, a team that doesn't need a long introduction. The same applies to Diego Simeone, the Argentine manager who has been on the bench of the Spanish team since 2011. Under his leadership, Atlético has won the Spanish league twice, the Europa League twice, the Super Cup twice and, speaking of twos, reached the Champions League final twice. On top of that, we can add one Copa Del Rey and one Supercopa triumph each. This is a truly impressive record considering the huge competition in Spain and Europe.
This season, Atlético is on the move again in the top tiers of the Spanish LaLiga. Currently, after nine rounds played, he is in 4th place with 16 points. Despite a slower start to the 2025/2026 season, Diego Simeone's charges are slowly but surely starting to get back to where they belong. So I'll move straight to the roster and the most interesting names in the Madrid squad. I have to start with the goalkeeper position, where he has been the number one for over a decade. Jan Oblak. From the defensive players I would like to mention the names of Jose Maria Gimenez, Robin Le Normand or Dávid Hancko. The Slovakian international strengthened Atlético's already solid defensive line in the summer transfer window ahead of the current season. In the midfield, the most outstanding player is the captain Kokewho has been with the club his entire career.
And now we get to the most interesting part, the offensive stars. Antoine Griezmann is an Atlético legend despite his two-year stint at Bracelona. The experienced French striker can still. He is also an interesting figure Alexander Sørloth, who scored 20 goals in the league last season and outplayed the team's biggest offensive star, who is none other than Julián Álvarez. The Argentine footballer showed his qualities during his time at Manchester City, but after his move to Spain he has gone even higher. Julián Álvarez, in my opinion, can compete with the best strikers in the world at the moment. A fantastic player.
Match
What a clash between two managers who pride themselves on their sophisticated defensive play? At first glance, it may seem like a boring game without many chances. However, after a short reflection, the match may offer quite the opposite. Just because both teams excel defensively doesn't mean they fall short offensively. There are more than enough interesting and especially quality offensive footballers on both sides. Personally, I am looking forward to the Arsenal-Atlético match and hope that the clash between the two giants will offer a proper spectacle.
As for the image of the game, so it should be a pretty even match.. Qualitatively, the teams are on a very similar level. Arsenal should be favoured by their home environment and the fact that they have six points after two rounds. Atlético, on the other hand, will be under slight pressure from the opening whistle. As I wrote earlier today, the Spanish team's record in this season's Champions League is not bad, but the threat of a second defeat in three games could take a toll on the performance of Diego Simeone's charges. That's why Arsenal should have a slight edge at home.I believe that the Gunners will pass the difficult test in front of their own fans and will get three more important points. I predict Arsenal to win 2:1.
Next match
We won't have to wait long for the Gunners' next competitive game. Arsenal will play again this weekend, specifically Sunday 26 October 2025 from 15:00 CET, when the Premier League welcomes another London derby to its home stadium Crystal Palace.
See you next time, I'll look forward to it!
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Editor, administrator and editor of the True Gunner Diary website, but above all a devoted Arsenal fan. I started with sports articles at the Tipsport bookmaker, where I have published more than 100 blogs. If you want to know more about me, check out the section of the same name here on the site.