Overview
- The first leg in Madrid kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday, with UK coverage on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
- Mikel Arteta confirmed Kai Havertz will miss the game, Eberechi Eze is available, and Jurrien Timber remains uncertain after a groin issue.
- Viktor Gyökeres is expected to lead the line for Arsenal in Havertz’s absence, with Bukayo Saka in contention to start after a recent return.
- Atlético are without Pablo Barrios and José María Giménez, with late checks on Ademola Lookman and David Hancko, and Julian Álvarez is likely to feature with Antoine Griezmann.
- Arsenal enter as the only unbeaten side in this Champions League and come off a 1-0 win over Newcastle that Arteta called a massive lift, while Atlético have scored a club‑record 34 goals in Europe and have been strong at home against English clubs; the winner will meet Bayern Munich or Paris Saint‑Germain in Budapest on 30 May.