Arsenal is preparing to face Atletico Madrid in North London as part of the third round of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in a highly anticipated match between the two teams, as both seek to strengthen their position in the group.

The two teams last met in the semi-finals of the Europa League in the 2017/2018 season, with the London match ending in a 1-1 draw after Antoine Griezmann scored the equalizer in the final minutes, before Atletico Madrid won 1-0 at home and claimed the title that season. Arsenal has won its last six matches in the Champions League against Spanish teams, including a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the first round this season, becoming the first team to achieve this feat in the history of the European competition. The English team has lost only one of its last 14 home matches against Spanish teams, while Atletico Madrid has faced clear difficulties against English teams, winning only one of its last nine encounters and failing to win any of its last nine group stage matches against Premier League teams.

Arsenal returns to participate in the Champions League for the third consecutive time after a hiatus from the main tournament between the 2016/2017 and 2023/2024 seasons. The team reached the semi-finals last season, its best performance since the 2008/2009 season, before losing to Paris Saint-Germain with an aggregate score of 3-1. Atletico Madrid is participating in the tournament for the sixteenth time, and the thirteenth consecutively since the 2013/2014 season. They were runners-up in the tournament twice, in 2014 and 2016, and lost last season in the Round of 16 to Real Madrid on penalties after a tie on aggregate.

Statistically, Arsenal has a strong record in the tournament, having won 99 matches so far, while keeping a clean sheet in nine of the last 13 group stage matches. They have won their last 14 home matches in the same round, achieving a clean sheet in the last 11 consecutive matches. Gabriel Martinelli has scored in the first two matches of this season, while Bukayo Saka has scored six goals in his last seven Champions League matches and 11 goals in his first 19 matches.

On the other hand, Atletico Madrid continues its strong performances offensively, having won 5-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the second round, achieving six victories in their last seven group stage matches. The team has scored in 17 of its last 18 encounters in the same round, while Julian Alvarez has scored seven goals in his last seven Champions League matches. The third round match is expected to be an important test for each team in their pursuit of qualification for the Round of 16 of the tournament.