Arsenal are on the brink of history as they welcome Atletico Madrid to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, with a spot in the European final—their first in two decades—hanging in the balance.
The Gunners have been a model of consistency in the Champions League this season, remaining the only unbeaten side left in the competition. Mikel Arteta's men have already tasted success against Los Rojiblancos, thrashing them 4–0 on home soil during the league phase. However, Diego Simeone's side has been firing on all cylinders, netting a club-record 35 goals in the tournament so far.
Injury concerns loom large for Arsenal, with Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz both battling knee and muscle issues, respectively. Arteta remains hopeful that the duo can recover in time, but both are currently listed as doubts. Bukayo Saka, who was substituted at half-time against Fulham as a precaution, is expected to start on the right flank. However, Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber have been ruled out with foot and groin injuries.
Martin Zubimendi is set to return to the midfield engine room after being rested during the weekend's victory, while Myles Lewis-Skelly—who impressed against Fulham—will likely make way for the more experienced Spaniard. In defense, Piero Hincapie is tipped to start at left-back over Riccardo Calafiori, while Viktor Gyökeres aims to become just the third player to score in both legs of a Champions League semi-final for a Premier League club.
Declan Rice remains a vital presence in the middle of the park, having led all players in the first leg for line-breaking passes and progressive carries. Meanwhile, goalkeeper David Raya has been a brick wall, preventing more goals than any other shot-stopper in the competition since the start of last season.
Arsenal's defensive solidity under Arteta has been remarkable, conceding just 0.65 goals per game in the Champions League—the lowest ratio of any manager with 20 or more matches in the tournament. A draw or better on Tuesday would also set a new club record of 14 consecutive matches without defeat in the competition.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli.