Arsenal visit Atletico Madrid hoping to take a big step towards reaching the Champions League final.
The Gunners fell at the semi-final stage last season, losing to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain, but head into Wednesday’s first leg as favourites against Diego Simeone’s side.
Atletico, who lost the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on penalties earlier this month, are looking to reach the European Cup/Champions League final for the fourth time in their history, having come up short in each of their three previous appearances.
Arsenal won 4-0 when the two sides met in the league phase, but that counts for nothing ahead of what is sure to be a tense affair in the Spanish capital.
101GreatGoals has the full team news from the Metropolitano.
Table of Contents
Atletico Madrid team news
Atletico boss Diego Simeone makes four changes from the team that ran out 3-2 winners over Athletic Club last weekend.
David Hancko comes in for Clement Lenglet at centre-back, while Johnny takes the place of the injured Pablo Barrios in midfield.
Ademola Lookman returns to the XI as Alex Baena drops to the bench, and Julian Alvarez is back from a thigh injury that had kept him out for the last three games. Alexander Sorloth drops to the bench.
Nicolas Gonzalez was a late withdrawal from the squad due to a muscle injury sustained in training.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Johnny, Koke, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Atletico Madrid substitutes: Musso, Equivale, Lenglet, Molina, Le Normand, Bonar, Julio Diaz, Mendoza, Baena, Obed Vargas, Almada, Sorloth.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal make two changes from the side that edged to a nervy 1-0 win over Newcastle United last time out.
Viktor Gyokeres replaces the injured Kai Havertz up front, while Gabriel Martinelli comes in for Eberechi Eze, whose goal against the Magpies proved decisive.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Arsenal substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon.
Where to watch Atletico Madrid v Arsenal: TV channel, live stream
The match will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports, with coverage also accessible via the discovery+ streaming platform.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00pm BST.
The stats for Atletico Madrid v Arsenal
- Atletico have scored a club-record number of goals in this Champions League campaign
- Arsenal are unbeaten in this season’s competition
- Arsenal have won their last seven Champions League matches against Spanish opposition
- Atletico have won just two of their last 12 matches against English sides in Europe
- Arsenal have lost only one of their last 11 away Champions League games
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