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Arsenal will take on Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, 5 May, with the tie firmly in the balance.
Following a 1-1 draw in Madrid last week, it's a case of winner takes all at the Emirates Stadium this week, with both teams in pursuit of their maiden Champions League triumph.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert Champions League predictions.
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Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid key stats
- Arsenal have won nine of their last 11 matches at the Emirates Stadium in all competitions.
- Atletico Madrid have won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in all five of Arsenal's Champions League knockout round matches this season.
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid preview: Budapest awaits the Gunners
| Arsenal vs Aletico Madrid | vs | Freiburg |
|---|---|---|
| 1st(Premier League) | Position | 4th(La Liga) |
| 76 | Points | 63 |
| 67 | Goals For | 58 |
| 26 | Goals Against | 37 |
| 17 | Clean Sheets | 13 |
| 1st | Home Rank | 4th |
| 1st | Away Rank | 7th |
Arsenal have the opportunity to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years on Tuesday night, in a match that could be a defining moment in their rollercoaster of a season.
For all of their qualities, there are certainly question marks around their mental fortitude given their collapse in the league since losing the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City, and now that they have rediscovered some kind of form, the last thing they need is a devastating defeat on Tuesday night.
Their performance in Madrid last week was solid enough, but what will really give Arsenal fans hope of qualifying for the final was their first-half display against Fulham on Saturday evening. After a turgid couple of months, the shackles were seemingly off, and if they perform like that on Tuesday, then they should have enough to overcome Atletico.
Their home form in Europe over the course of the season is another reason for huge optimism this week, with the Gunners unbeaten at the Emirates Stadium in Europe (five wins, one draw), including a 4-0 triumph over Atleti back in October.
Mikel Arteta will be buoyed by the return of Bukayo Saka, who will surely start on Tuesday night. Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz also have a chance of being passed fit, but Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are definitely ruled out.
As for the visitors, there is a feeling in some quarters that this tie is now perfectly set up for a Diego Simeone masterclass in North London.
For all the talk of their new, more attacking style of play, Atleti reverted to what they do best for large parts of the first leg, and if they are to come out on top on Tuesday night, you feel it will have to be via a 1-0 smash and grab.
The Spanish side's form is far from ideal coming into the match, with seven defeats from their last 11 outings in all competitions, and their quarter-final tie with Barcelona would likely have gone differently had Hansi Flick's side not been reduced to 10 men in both legs.
For the match this week, Simeone should have Julian Alvarez available despite the Argentinian hobbling off in the first leg, but Pablo Barrios and Nico Gonzalez have been ruled out.
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid form guide & betting tips
| Arenal | vs | Atletico Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| D-L-W-D-W | Form | L-L-W-D-W |
| 6 | Goals For | 10 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 8 |
| W-D-D | Europa League form | W-L-D |
Whispers predicts: Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Arsenal's home form in Europe this season is formidable, and a fever-pitch atmosphere is anticipated at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Arsenal to win has been best priced at 8/13.
Arsenal's strengths do lie in their defensive organisation, so for their biggest match of the season, they are more likely to lean on those. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 10/11.
Viktor Gyokeres has quietly scored 23 goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season. Gyokeres is priced at 7/5 to score anytime.
> Arsenal to win at 8/13 | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 10/11 | Likelihood: Probable
> Gyokeres to score anytime at 7/5 | Likelihood: Possible