Arsenal stormed to a third successive Champions League victory by blowing away Atletico Madrid 4-0 thanks to a devastating second-half broadside at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
What had been a compelling clash with little between the sides became an Arsenal rout with goals by Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and a brace from Viktor Gyokeres leaving Diego Simeone's side shell-shocked.
Shortly after Julian Alvarez hit the crossbar for the visitors, Gabriel broke the deadlock by heading in a Declan Rice free kick in the 57th minute.
Martinelli finished off a sweeping move seven minutes later and Gyokeres then prodded his first goal of the night via a deflection as Arsenal ran riot, the Swede ending a nine-game scoring drought for club and country. Gyokeres then bundled in his second as Atletico were again unable to deal with a set piece.
Follow live updates from Arsenal v Atletico
ARSENAL V ATLETICO - LATEST UPDATES
- Arsenal hammer Atletico Madrid in Champions League group phase
- 70' GOAL! Gyokeres makes it four goals in 13 stunning minutess
- 67' GOAL! Gyokeres scores Arsenal's third in quick succession
- 64' GOAL! Martinelli puts Arsenal two up
- 57' GOAL! Gabriel heads Gunners in front
- 49' CROSSBAR! Alvarez rattles woodwork
- 5' CROSSBAR! Eze hits the woodwork early on
Arsenal FC 4 - 0 Club Atlético de Madrid
Diego Simeone rues ‘individual mistakes’ after Arsenal hammer Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 23:03 , Kieran Jackson“We competed very well until the first Arsenal goal, then we couldn’t compete,” Simeone said, in his post-match press conference.
“It can come down to fine margins in terms of taking the game into your control or not and it’s not down to bad luck, it’s down to mistakes. They made the most of our mistakes. They took their chances and all their big chances turned into goals.”
Full quotes below:
Diego Simeone rues ‘individual mistakes’ after Arsenal hammer Atletico Madrid
Four Arsenal goals in 13 minutes stun Atletico – and sends statement to rest of Europe
Tuesday 21 October 2025 22:40 , Kieran JacksonRichard Jolly at the Emirates
It may not be Arsenal’s most celebrated win over a club from the Spanish capital in 2025 but there was something seismic, something spectacular about it nonetheless. Atletico Madrid did not just emulate Real Madrid, beaten at the Emirates Stadium in April: they surpassed them. And not in the right way. Real lost 3-0 on one of Mikel Arteta’s greatest nights. In the space of 13 surreal minutes, Arsenal scored four times against the club who used to be the byword for defensive solidity.
Arteta may often be accused of being too cautious, too conservative, but this was Arsenal being rampant and expansive. This was a statement result. Arteta may shrug off a status as favourites for the Premier League but last season’s semi-finalists illustrated they will be a serious force in the Champions League, too.
Four Arsenal goals in 13 minutes stun Atletico – and sends European statement
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 22:05 , Kieran JacksonWhat a night at the Emirates!
FULL-TIME: Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:53 , Kieran JacksonWhat a stunning second-half display from the Gunners!
It was an onslaught - and Atletico were powerless in stopping it!
Gabriel headed them in front, before Martinelli’s smart finish and two instinctive goals from Gyokeres made it a convincing 4-0 scoreline!
That is a real statement from Mikel Arteta’s team.
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:50 , Kieran Jackson93 mins
A final attempt of the night for Arsenal, from teenager Nwaneri, comfortably saved by Oblak.
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:49 , Kieran Jackson90 mins
Three minutes of added time
Atletico keeping the ball but not creating anything of note.
Simeone and his side will want to get out of London and fast...
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:42 , Kieran Jackson82 mins
Final substitutes come on for Arsenal: Merino and White replace Gyokeres and Timber.
Cruise control for the Gunners now, after what was an incredible 13 minutes.
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:40 , Kieran Jackson76 mins
Atletico substitute Thiago Almada stabs a shot towards goal, but it’s comfortable to Raya down low to his right.
A shot on target? It could have been going wide.
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:37 , Kieran Jackson72 mins
Changes aplenty for both teams.
For Arsenal - Mosquera, Nwaneri Norgaard ON; Gabriel, Eze Zubimendi OFF
For Atletico - Simeone, sorlorth OFF; Griezmann Almada ON
GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid (Gyokeres 70')
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:29 , Kieran JacksonThis is unbelievable.
Arsenal are flying right now. Gyokeres has two. Another goal from a set-piece - Rice’s corner is headed at the back-post by Gabriel across the path of goal and the Swede uses his upper leg this time to guide the ball into the net.
Atletico are stunned. It’s a demolition job at the Emirates!
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Atletico Madrid (Gyokeres 67')
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:27 , Kieran JacksonAnd now it’s three!
Viktor Gyokeres is in on the act now! Martinelli floats in a ball into the box - Eze volleys into the path of the Swedish striker, who sort of tackles the ball via a deflection into the goal!
Weird finish. Arsenal and their star striker won’t care. What a 10 minutes it’s been for the Gunners.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Atletico Madrid (Martinelli 64')
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:24 , Kieran JacksonArsenal are two up!
It’s a brilliant surging wide into midfield from Myles Lewis-Skelly - nobody can get near him and he feeds Gabriel Martinelli who opens up his body and finishes superbly into the bottom-corner beyond Oblak!
Martinelli keeping up his 100% scoring record in the Champions League this season. Breathing space for the Gunners in front of their rapturous home fans...
Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:22 , Kieran Jackson62 mins
A TRIPLE substitution for Atletico.
Koke, Gimenez, and Gonzalez OFF, Gallagher, Baena and Ruggeri ON.
Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:21 , Kieran Jackson61 mins
Close to an equaliser for Atletico!
Llorente dinks in a cross and it’s Hancko who beats Timber at the far-post - but heads wide!
Hell of an atmosphere in the Emirates now... Simeone is planning some changes...
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid (Gabriel 57')
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:16 , Kieran JacksonArsenal break the deadlock - and it’s Gabriel once again.
It’s a sumptuous free-kick in from Declan Rice. The midfielder swings in a pinpoint free-kick into the six-yard box and Gabriel is there to nod it past Oblak!
This game deserved a goal - now we’ve got it!
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:13 , Richard Jolly at the Emirates“Arsenal still haven't conceded a shot on target in their last three games, but Atletico got very close to ending that, just as Alvarez got very close to a spectacular goal when he hit the bar.
“So far, he is looking rather more threatening than his Arsenal counterpart, Viktor Gyokeres.”
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:12 , Kieran Jackson53 mins
Good save from Oblak!
Zubimendi dinks in a deft pass to Gyokeres in the box and the Arsenal striker gets a toe to the ball on the reach, but the Atletico goalkeeper smothers.
Engrossing start to the second-half...
CROSSBAR! Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:08 , Kieran Jackson49 mins
Julian Alvaraz hits the crossbar!
It’s a stunning strike from the Argentine, who curls a beauty towards the far corner after cutting in from the left-hand side, but it doesn’t quite dip enough.
Raya was beaten...
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:06 , Kieran Jackson48 mins
Atletico defend the corner, again, very well.
Which manager will be the first to change things here?
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:05 , Kieran Jackson47 mins
Jurrien Timber does brilliantly down the right-hand side and, out of nothing, wins a corner...
SECOND-HALF: Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 21:04 , Kieran JacksonWe’re back underway with the second-half at the Emirates!
No changes at the interval, despite all of Atletico’s substitutes undergoing a thorough warm-up at half-time. Antoine Griezmann and Conor Gallagher among them...
HALF-TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:49 , Kieran JacksonFinal action of the half sees Martinelli get on the end of a cross from Zubimendi, but he can only head over.
For a nil-nil, it’s been a decent game. Arsenal will be kicking themselves that they’ve not opened the scoring, with Eze going closest early on!
Alvaraz has had a few sights of goal for Atletico, who came into the match midway through the first-half.
Either way, it’s goalless at the break.
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:46 , Kieran Jackson45 mins
We’ve seen him do it before... but not this time!
Julian Alvaraz goes for goal from a free-kick 30 yards out, but Raya sees the ball safely wide of the post.
One minute of added time.
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:40 , Kieran Jackson38 mins
Martin Zubimendi is now in the book after a (harsh) foul on the right-hand side on Nicolas Gonzalez.
The Spaniard’s protests get him in the Italian referee’s book.
Zubimendi will miss Arsenal’s next Champions League game at Slavia Prague after his third yellow of the competition.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:38 , Kieran Jackson36 mins
Arsenal win the ball high up the pitch - Saka is fed and his cross is tapped home by Martinelli!
Celebrations are cut short as the offside flag goes up and the Brazilian is a yard off...
So close!
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:36 , Kieran Jackson35 mins
So wasteful from Arsenal that!
Saka squares the free-kick to Zubimendi who lobs a hopeful ball into the box and it’s easily cleared.
Bit bemused by that...
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:34 , Kieran Jackson34 mins
First real bit of action from Viktor Gyokeres down the right and he wins a free-kick after a cynical foul from Jose Maria Gimenez.
Whether it’s for the foul or kicking the ball away, the Atletico Madrid defender is the first name in the book. Free-kick imminent...
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:34 , Kieran Jackson
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:32 , Kieran Jackson32 mins
First corner of the game for Arsenal - despite some histrionics in the box beforehand - is well defended by what is a very tall Atletico Madrid outfit.
Still goalless here after half-an-hour...
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:30 , Kieran Jackson28 mins
Alvarez finds himself one-on-one with Saliba, but the Arsenal defender does brilliantly to nullify the threat, showing him onto his left before blocking.
Bit better from the visitors...
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:26 , Kieran Jackson25 mins
Oh my word - what a let-off for David Raya!
The Arsenal goalkeeper foolishly looks to shepherd the ball out on the far side, but Giuliano Simeone doesn’t give it up and wins a throw-in.
It’s taken quickly and Julian Alvaraz shoots quickly at the deserted net, but the ball drifts just wide!
Raya has his hands up in apologies - and so he should!
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:20 , Kieran Jackson19 mins
Saka is found again in behind, this time by Eze, but Oblak does well to block the Arsenal winger’s toe-poke towards goal.
Atletico haven’t had a sniff so far. But, still level...
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:18 , Richard Jolly at the Emirates“An enterprising, attacking start from Arsenal with Eberechi Eze prominent and both full-backs getting forward at every opportunity.
“Atletico are often content to sit behind the ball, defending in two banks of four, but they are relatively unusual in playing two strikers.
“And that, for Arsenal's iron defence, will be the threat.”
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:15 , Kieran Jackson14 mins
Lewis-Skelly goes close this time for the Gunners!
A lovely move between Timber and Saka down the right ends with the Arsenal left back in space just inside the penalty area, but he drags his shot wide of the far-post.
All Arsenal so far.
Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:10 , Kieran Jackson7 mins
Diego Simeone is absolutely furious (imagine my shock) down below us for what he sees as a clear yellow card for Myles Lewis-Skelly not being given, as the Arsenal defender stopped a counter-attack with a cynical foul.
No booking. On we go...
CROSSBAR! Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:05 , Kieran JacksonSo close to an opener for the Gunners!
Eze receives the ball just outside the penalty area and his deflected shot spoons up onto the crossbar with Oblak beaten!
Declan Rice then has a chance from the follow-up, but fluffs his lines and goes over!
3' - Arsenal 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:03 , Kieran JacksonTimber with the first foray into the penalty area, but the ball just runs away from him at the byline.
Arsenal with all the possession so far...
KICK OFF!
Tuesday 21 October 2025 20:00 , Kieran JacksonArsenal get us going then, with Atletico in their dark blue away kits and the Gunners in their usual red-and-white.
Moments from kick-off here
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:58 , Kieran JacksonThe Champions League anthem rings out around the Emirates Stadium and we’re about to get going with this matchday three clash in north London!
A reminder of the teams at the Emirates!
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:54 , Kieran JacksonArsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Hancko; Guiliano, Barrios, Koke, Gonzalez; Sorloth, Alvarez.
Arsenal have a good record against Madrid teams
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:47 , Richard Jolly at the EmiratesArsenal recorded a famous win against a club from Madrid in the Champions League last season. Their victims were Real, not Atletico, but a meeting with the Spanish capital's other power offers a chance to build on a fine start to this season.
Of their six remaining Champions League group games, three look distinctly winnable, the other three - Atletico, Bayern and Inter - tougher. But Arsenal have six points already, the prospect of nine to come and thus could only need a couple from those tougher games to book a top-eight finish.
Match stats
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:40 , Chris WilsonArsenal are one of only two sides – along with Internazionale – who haven’t conceded a goal in the UEFA Champions League this season. The Gunners rank first for xG against (0.85) in the competition this term, while they have held their opponents to under one xG in seven of their 10 league phase matches since the start of last term (0.35 v Athletic Club and 0.5 v Olympiakos this season).
Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in 17 goals in 19 appearances in the UEFA Champions League (11 goals, six assists). Since his debut in the competition on 20th September 2023, Saka has the second best minutes per goal involvement ratio of any winger (89 – min. 500 minutes played), only behind Barcelona’s Raphinha (69).
Other UCL fixtures tonight
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:35 , Chris WilsonHere’s a list of the other matches in the Champions League today:
(kick-off at 8pm BST unless specified)
Barcelona vs Olympiacos (5.45pm BST)
Kairat vs Pafos (5.45pm BST)
Villarreal vs Manchester City
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid
PSV vs Napoli
Leverkusen vs PSG
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise vs Inter Milan
Copenhagen vs Dortmund
Match stats
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:31 , Kieran JacksonAtlético Madrid have never won away to an English side in the group/league phase of the UEFA Champions League, failing in all five attempts to date (D2 L3), and including a 4-0 defeat in London (versus Chelsea in October 2009.
Arsenal have won each of their last six games against Spanish teams, beating four different opponents in this run (Real Madrid x2, Sevilla x2, Girona and Athletic Club). This is already the longest winning run by a team against Spanish opposition in UEFA Champions League history.
Head-to-head
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:20 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have faced each other just twice in Uefa competition, with those matches coming in the Europa League in 2017/18.
A semi-final first-leg tie at the Emirates ended 1-1 before Atleti won 1-0 at home to take a place in the final, with the Spanish side eventually beating Marseille to lift the trophy in Lyon.
Current Champions League table
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:10 , Kieran JacksonArsenal are fifth as one of six clubs with a perfecr record so far, while Atletico are in 10th.
Viktor Gyokeres doesn’t need goals to do damage for Arsenal, says Theo Walcott
Tuesday 21 October 2025 19:00 , Kieran JacksonInterview by Will Castle
Viktor Gyokeres does not need goals to be a “problem” for opposition defences, according to to ex-Arsenal winger Theo Walcott.
Gyokeres, 27, was one of the most hotly-anticipated signings of the summer, brought to the Emirates Stadium from Sporting CP for an initial £55m in the hope he would emulate his stunning goalscoring form witnessed in Portugal - where he racked up 97 goals in 102 appearances.
Full quotes below:
Viktor Gyokeres doesn’t need goals to do damage for Arsenal, says Theo Walcott
Team news
Tuesday 21 October 2025 18:57 , Chris WilsonMikel Arteta has made just two changes to the side that beat Fulham last time out, with Myles Lewis-Skelly coming in to replace Riccardo Calafiori at left-back and Gabriel Martinelli taking the place of Leandro Trossard.
Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka will support the Brazilian in attack, while the midfield three of Ebere Eze, Declan rice and Martin Zubimendi continues at the Emirates.
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Hancko; Guiliano, Barrios, Koke, Gonzalez; Sorloth, Alvarez.
Subs: Musso, Ruggeri, Lenglet, Molina, Pubill, Galan, Gallagher, Baena, Griezmann, Almada, Carlos M., Raspadori.
XI 💫🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/8Hs5JJtnTp
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) October 21, 2025
Line-ups
Tuesday 21 October 2025 18:49 , Chris WilsonArsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: Kepa, Setford, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Calafiori, Norgaard, Trossard, Merino, Nwaneri.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 21, 2025
💪 Lewis-Skelly at the back
👊 Rice controlling in the middle
⚡️ Martinelli on the wing
Let’s pick up where we left off, Gunners.
Mikel Arteta on Diego Simeone:
Tuesday 21 October 2025 18:30 , Kieran Jackson“Obviously, he is someone that I look up to and have learned from him in many situations,” said Arteta.
“I rate him at the highest level. What he’s done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding. Not only what he has achieved but the way he’s done it – the identity he has created at the club, the team, the spirit, they are very simple and clear to identify and that’s because the manager is very much them.
“That’s extremely difficult to achieve for a short period of time and to do it for 14 years, is something that’s incredible so it’ll be a pleasure to meet him.
“They have won major trophies, been in Champions League finals and made all the right steps when they needed to. We need to try and do that and we are on the journey to try and achieve that.”
How Mikel Arteta is turning Arsenal into Atletico Madrid as clubs collide in Champions League
Tuesday 21 October 2025 18:15 , Kieran JacksonBy Richard Jolly - Senior Football Correspondent
Mikel Arteta might have been speaking about his Arsenal team. “The level of organisation is really high,” he said. “It is about how they compete and after how they play.”
It was actually an ode to Atletico Madrid. There will be a 90-minute opportunity to compare them tonight. There is a broader similarity. There are managers who have brought longevity and stability, returning to their former clubs when they were at a low ebb and effecting a transformation. Diego Simeone is a former Atletico player, Arteta an ex-Arsenal captain and each, arguably, owed his appointment in part to that status.
How Mikel Arteta is turning Arsenal into Atletico as clubs clash in Champions League
Pre-match team news
Tuesday 21 October 2025 17:55 , Kieran JacksonArsenal - Piero Hincapie remains a slight doubt with a groin issue, although could return to the Arsenal squad but Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are all out due to knee injuries. Otherwise, the Gunners boast a fit squad.
Atletico Madrid - Nico Gonzalez was taken off just before half-time against Osasuna over the weekend due to a head injury, although he has passed the necessary concussion tests. Johnny Cardoso (ankle) is the only other fitness concern, while defender Clement Lenglet is available again following a LaLiga suspension.
Kick-off time - 8pm
Tuesday 21 October 2025 17:45 , Kieran JacksonArsenal’s clash with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at 8:00pm BST on Tuesday 19 October at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Arsenal v Atletico
Tuesday 21 October 2025 17:38 , Kieran JacksonArsenal face Atletico Madrid in the latest round of Champions League action as Mikel Arteta squares off against Diego Simeone in north London.
The Gunners have made an impressive start to the season, sitting three points clear at the top of the Premier League – elevating themselves to title favourites – and have a pair of 2-0 victories in the Champions League to their name, downing Athletic Bilbao and Olympiacos.
The pressure is on Arteta to finally deliver another trophy after a series of near-misses over the past couple of seasons and he was complimentary of opposite number Simeone this week, saying he rates the Argentine “at the highest level.”
Simeone has been in charge in Madrid for 14 years now, delivering two LaLiga titles, a pair of Europa League crowns and a Copa del Rey in that time, although he lost two Champions League finals to city rivals Real Madrid. This season in Europe’s top-tier competition, Atleti suffered a narrow defeat to Liverpool before hammering Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1.
