Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal: Are Arsenal Actually Good Enough to Win the Champions League?

by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Geoffrey Ejiga

image Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal: Are Arsenal Actually Good Enough to Win the Champions League?
It’s a question nobody at Arsenal wants answered right now. The Premier League top spot they led for over 200 days is gone. Manchester City won the EFL Cup final (2-0). Southampton, a Championship club, knocked them out of the FA Cup. And yet Arsenal are still standing in Europe, unbeaten in 12 Champions League games this season, with five goals conceded and zero defeats. They look like champions already, but tonight, at the Metropolitano, we get our answer.
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The Last Time Arsenal Came Here

Arsenal fans already know what this stadium does to their team. In May 2018, they drew 1-1 at the Emirates and flew to Madrid needing a goal they never got.

In the Champions League semis last year, Arsenal also lost 2-1 to PSG on their trip to France.

While the Emirates remains a fortress for the Gunners, they've often looked toothless in opponent territories, especially at crucial stages.

Arsenal just lost 2-1 away to City. And in the RO16 of the Champions League, they failed to beat a Leverkusen side at home, which could've cost them early if the Germans were any sharper.

It's true that they handed Atletico a 4-0 lashing this season. But that was in the Emirates. This is in Madrid, where Arsenal are winless in their last two games. Can they break their “away curse” tonight? Read our Atlético vs Arsenal prediction for a more in-depth analysis.

The Injury News That Changes Everything

Sunday's 1-0 win over Newcastle came at a much deeper cost. Eze scored the opener and immediately hobbled off. Meanwhile, Havertz walked down the tunnel in the first half. Zubimendi has also been ill all week, joining stars like Timber and Merino on the sidelines.

Although Arteta refused to confirm either for tonight, saying only "we have to wait and see."

Rivals Atlético are not without their problems, however. Barrios and Giménez are both ruled out. Álvarez, who has nine Champions League goals this season, is doubtful with a knock from the Copa del Rey final. Both squads are going into a semifinal held together with tape.

 Atlético MadridArsenal
Confirmed OutBarrios, GiménezMerino, Timber
DoubtfulÁlvarez, Lookman, HanckoEze, Havertz, Zubimendi
UCL goals scored3427
UCL goals conceded265

What Simeone Has Been Planning Since October?

Perhaps the most concerned manager here will be Simeone, who was on the receiving end of Arteta's ruthless 4-0 onslaught against his Atléti side. He's been sitting with that exact thought for the past six months and must've been preparing for this day in Champions League.

Unlike against Barca, when he gave the ball away and relied on counters, Arsenal are quite comfortable without it.

They shared possession 52%-48% in that 4-0 thrashing, with Atleti having just as much of the ball.

Diego will probably have to adjust his game plan for pure end-to-end action or a game so tight that it fulfills fans' football predictions of a boring affair. There's no in-between or submissiveness against an Arsenal team that can hold the ball like Pep Guardiola or play without it like Simeone himself.