Arteta Warns of Atletico Threat Despite 4-0 League Phase Win

Arteta calls it a 'privilege' to reach second straight Champions League semi-final

Arteta takes Arsenal to second straight Champions League semi-final vs Atletico Madrid. Gunners unbeaten, lost to PSG winners last season.

After losing to PSG in last year’s semi, Arteta says Arsenal are ready to grab their chance vs Atletico. Gunners seek second UCL final ever...

Arsenal will contest a second consecutive Champions League semi-final when they face Atletico Madrid, and after last season’s disappointment manager Mikel Arteta says his side are ready to grab this opportunity with both hands.

Opportunity knocks ✊ pic.twitter.com/spSw0cBTdy

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 28, 2026

Arteta led Arsenal to their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 last year, where they were beaten by eventual winners Paris St Germain. This year he hopes to guide the club to what would be only their second final in Europe’s premier club competition.

  

Arsenal have seen their Premier League lead cut to three points by Manchester City, who have a game in hand, in recent weeks, and exited the FA Cup to Southampton. They were boosted by a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the weekend.

“It was a massive win ‌for us against Newcastle,” Arteta told reporters ahead of ⁠Wednesday's first leg in Madrid.

“You could sense ‌straight away the energy, the confidence coming into this game. It's a massive privilege to be here again two years in a row in the semi-final of the Champions League, representing our club.

“What an opportunity. We're going to grab it with both hands. You're going to see a team that wants to be dominant, that wants to win it, and that wants to start to ⁠decide the tie tomorrow.”

Arsenal face a side that knocked out Barcelona in the last round, but Arteta’s team remain the only unbeaten side in this season’s competition.

“We know the difficulty of the match, but I think we have shown in Europe, in any ground, what ‌we are capable of,” Arteta said.

“We've been very consistent, and tomorrow we have to play with that confidence, with that desire, and that will to come here to win the game.

“That's the way we are all feeling, and that's the energy that I feel amongst the team and the club. This is the stage that we want to be in, and we have earned it. Through incredible work, passion, and quality.”

A big win in north London, last time out against Atleti ⏮️ pic.twitter.com/S39B5PlqXG

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 28, 2026

  

Arsenal thrashed Atletico 4-0 when the teams met in London during the league phase in October. Last season they also beat PSG at the same stage before falling to the French side in the semis. Still, Arteta says this is not something he has discussed with his players.

“No, because ‌it's not a very positive message. There are a lot of positive messages that I can send to the team,” he said.

“Obviously, we learned things from that game, but tomorrow's game is going to be a completely different one, especially playing here.

“We know what they've done and what they are ⁠capable of, and also now some ⁠experience as well in this kind ‌of game, and we know exactly what we have to do.”