Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid: Confirmed lineups for Champions League semi second leg at the 

Who, what, when and why it matters

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid meet at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, May 5, for the decisive second leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semifinals. The tie is level after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, so the winner will earn a place in the Champions League final in Budapest. Both sides have navigated fitness concerns heading into the match but have named strong matchday squads and confirmed starting lineups.

Confirmed lineups and formations

Arsenal will set up in a 4-3-3 with David Raya in goal. The back four features Benjamin White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori. Midfield is anchored by Declan Rice with Eberechi Eze and Miles Lewis-Skelly. Mikel Arteta picks Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard in attack.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone lines up in a 4-4-2. Jan Oblak starts in goal with Marc Pubill, Robin Le Normand, David Hancko and Matteo Ruggeri across the back. The midfield four reads Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Koke and Ademola Lookman, while Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez lead the attack.

Injury updates and squad notes

The first-leg fixture raised fitness questions for both teams. Atletico were concerned after Julian Alvarez left the first match in the second half, though Diego Simeone downplayed the problem. Atletico also travelled with a 21-man squad missing Nicolas Gonzalez and Pablo Barrios; Alexander Sorloth, who missed the first leg with discomfort, is expected to be fit for the tie. Veteran defender Jose Maria Gimenez has recovered from an early-April injury and is available on the bench.

Arsenal had positive news from Mikel Arteta’s Monday press conference: Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaar are fit and available. Long-term absences for the Gunners continue to be Mikel Merino, out for the remainder of the season, and Jurrien Timber, who remains sidelined with ongoing fitness issues.

Tactical implications

Arsenal’s 4-3-3 selection keeps Declan Rice as the defensive pivot with creative freedoms for Eze and Lewis-Skelly. Starting Gyokeres rather than a traditional central striker indicates Arsenal expect to press and run in behind Atletico’s centre-backs. Atletico’s 4-4-2, with Griezmann and Julian Alvarez up front, suggests Simeone will look for direct combinations and transitional counters, using wide midfielders like Lookman to supply forward runs.

Key points

What happens next

The tie will be decided at the Emirates in this one-off second leg, with the winner advancing to the Champions League final in Budapest. Confirmed lineups suggest both managers are prepared to push key attacking players despite recent fitness concerns. For full verification, cross-check the published matchday team-sheets from UEFA and club sources after kickoff.