Arsenal host Atletico Madrid to advance to Champions League final

The Emirates Stadium will host a heavy-caliber clash between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals for the 2025-2026 season, in a match that is expected to carry a lot of excitement and decisiveness, after the first leg at the Metropolitano Stadium ended in a positive draw with a goal each.

The London team enters the match with great ambitions in order to book a ticket to the final, and achieve a long-awaited achievement for 20 years, as the last time Arsenal reached the final was in 2006, when they lost the title to Barcelona by a score of 2-1.

Atletico Madrid are aiming to reach a third final in their history under Diego Simeone after losing the  2014  final and the  2016 final to arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Instructors' Permit

Mikel Arteta said during the press conference: "We are hungry", we have waited a long time to live such nights, and we have to prepare as best as possible for the game.

On the other hand, Diego Simeone said: "There is no pressure, there is a sense of responsibility, there is a special sense of anticipation, and that the best is the one who will win and qualify for the final scene of the glory of the European Cups."

Speaking about Argentine player Alvaro Alvarez, Simeone said : "Alvarez is an important pillar for us in this game because of his experience in the Premier League, he did a great job in the first leg and I hope he does what is required of him in the return game.

Expected lineup for the two teams:

Mikel Arteta is expected to come in with David Raya in goalkeeping, in the backline: Ben White,  William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincape, midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Ibrechi Eze, and in attack: Bukayo Saka, Victor Giuqueris, and Gabriel Martinelli.

While Diego Simeone is expected to start the match with Bayan Oblak in goalkeeping, in defence: Marcos Llorente - Marc Pobel - Ruben Le Norman - Matteo Ruggieri, in midfield: Giuliano Simeone - Koki - Johnny Cardoso, and in attack: Ademola Lookman - Julina Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann.