Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid prediction, H2H and probable lineups, October 21, 2025

By Author On Oct 21, 2025

Arsenal welcome Atletico Madrid to the Emirates Stadium this Tuesday night for what looks set to be a heated Champions League battle. Both teams have plenty to prove — Arsenal chasing top spot in their group, and Atletico trying to claw their way back after a slow start. Expect a tactical showdown between two managers who love structure but aren’t afraid to go for it when the moment calls.

Current Form

Arsenal: The Gunners have been flying domestically, sitting near the top of the Premier League table. Arteta’s men are showing real confidence, scoring freely but still looking a little shaky at the back when pressed hard. Their recent 3–1 win over Brighton was a good confidence boost before this European test.

Atletico Madrid: Simeone’s side, meanwhile, are grinding out results as usual — not always pretty, but very effective. They’ve had a mixed bag of results in La Liga, but when it comes to the Champions League, you just know they’ll make life difficult for anyone. Their last outing saw them edge Sevilla 1–0 thanks to a late Morata header.

Head-to-Head

Historically, these two sides haven’t faced off too many times, but when they have, the games have been tense. Atletico knocked Arsenal out of Europe back in 2018, and the Gunners haven’t forgotten that. With both squads stacked with attacking flair and solid defences, it could come down to who takes their chances better this time.

Team News

Arsenal: Arteta is likely to stick with his usual 4-3-3. Saka and Martinelli should start on the wings, with Odegaard pulling the strings in midfield. Gabriel Jesus is back fit and expected to lead the line. The only absentees are Timber and Partey, still recovering from long-term injuries.

Atletico Madrid: Simeone might go with his classic 5-3-2, with Griezmann and Morata up top. Koke should return to the midfield after missing the weekend game, while Oblak stays in goal. Reinildo and Lemar are still on the injury list.

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Players to Watch

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka: The star boy keeps delivering. His pace, creativity, and composure in front of goal are massive weapons for Arsenal.

Atletico Madrid – Antoine Griezmann: The Frenchman’s form has been electric lately. If he gets space between the lines, Arsenal’s backline will need to be sharp.

Prediction

This one’s tough to call. Arsenal are brilliant at home, but Atletico’s experience and defensive discipline make them dangerous travelers. Expect a close, tactical game.
Prediction: Arsenal 2–1 Atletico Madrid

Betting Tips

Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Looks very likely given the attacking power on both sides.
Over 2.5 Goals: Arsenal tend to score early, forcing Atletico to come out and play.
Anytime Goalscorer: Bukayo Saka or Antoine Griezmann.

Final Thoughts

This clash has all the makings of a Champions League classic — fast football, strong tactics, and two sides that hate losing. Arsenal’s home advantage might just tip it in their favor, but don’t count Simeone’s men out. Strap in for a tense, high-quality European night in North London.