Spanish media put five Arsenal players under the spotlight ahead of Atletico Madrid showdown

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal face a Champions League blockbuster on matchday three as Atletico Madrid visit the Emirates Stadium.

It was in 2018 that Arsenal drew 1-1 with Atletico in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final at the Emirates.

Antoine Griezmann’s late equaliser dealt Arsene Wenger a resounding blow, as the Gunners then lost the second leg 1-0 away from home.

Now, Diego Simeone’s well-drilled side will return to N5 to face an entirely different Arsenal squad, a team that is quite similar to themselves.

• READ MORE: Arsenal have done something that has never happened in the club’s 138-year history

Spanish media praise Arsenal’s defence and goalkeeper ahead of Atletico Madrid clash

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have won two out of two to kick off their Champions League campaign, with the biggest challenge yet coming on matchday three.

Atletico are a team that are notoriously difficult to break down under Simeone, but against Arsenal, the Argentine coach might just meet his match.

Arsenal’s defensive form is impeccable, having conceded just one goal from open play all season, which is why Spanish media outlets are focusing on the Gunners’ defence.

Ahead of Atletico’s visit to the Emirates, Mundo Deportivo documented that Simeone’s side face the biggest challenge in Europe, which is to break down Arsenal’s defence. 

Within the piece, five Arsenal players were singled out for playing ‘outstandingly’ this season so far, with Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, and David Raya applauded. 

Atletico, and the media in Spain, understand the magnitude of the task that the visitors face, in what is set to be a contest representing two of the best tactical minds in football right now.

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid’s defensive starts to 2025/26 compared

It was once unfathomable to imagine that Arsenal could go toe-to-toe with Atletico Madrid defensively.

The idea is now a thing of reality, as Arsenal have snatched the crown of boasting one of the best defences in world football.

Arsenal have conceded three goals in their opening 11 games in all competitions, one of which being from open play. 

In the Champions League, Arteta’s side are yet to concede a goal, maintaining two clean sheets.

Atletico, on the other hand, have conceded 14 goals in all competitions, letting in four from their opening two Champions League games.

The visitors will be gearing themselves up for the task to test Arsenal’s back line, which is a real possibility given the star-studded attackers Simeone has at his disposal.

It’s set to be a thriller in North London on matchday three, but which team will come out on top?