Arsenal predicted XI: How will Gunners line up vs Atletico Madrid?

Put simply, they are an awful team to play because nothing ever comes easy against them. The team has truly embraced the personality and mentality of its coach. Problem is: Diego Simeone has been doing that very same thing at Atletico Madrid since Arteta was playing for Arsenal, in 2011.

And, with more tangible success at this point of his tenure. He had already won La Liga, the Europa League and the Copa del Rey, and been to two Champions League finals by the time he hit five full seasons on the job, which is where Arteta is now. Arsenal won the FA Cup in Arteta's first full season but that remains his only major trophy to date, lifted inside an empty Wembley Stadium back in 2020.

Arsenal have succeeded with those tactics, largely, against better technical footballing sides that don't necessarily want to get into a physical battle with them. So, what happens when they face a side that's actually looking for a fight and won't back down? A fascinating Champions League tie, and one that seems particularly important for Arteta to prove he can handle.

Arsenal injury, team news OUT: Jurrien Timber (groin), Kai Havertz (groin), Mikel Merino (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Riccardo Calafiori (undisclosed), Eberechi Eze (undisclosed), Martin Zubimendi (illness) Why the injuries matter : Timber has established himself as one of the Premier League's best full backs this season, and his attacking thrust has been a big loss when Ben White or Cristhian Mosquera, originally center backs early in their careers, replace him. Havertz has also become very important to Arsenal's attack of late, not only scoring (their only) goals in big games but linking play between midfield and the forward line, where possession often becomes stagnant and the Gunners run out of ideas (or attacking freedom). Projected Arsenal starting XI, vs Atletico Madrid ——- Raya ——- —- Mosquera —- Saliba —- Gabriel —- Hincapie —— —— Rice —— Zubimendi —— —— Saka —— Odegaard —— Trossard ——- ——- Gyokeres ——- The logic behind the lineup : White has typically been preferred over Mosquera at right back, but Mosquera came to Arsenal from Valencia and Arteta might just think he has an advantage for having played against Atleti before — not to mention, he is quite obviously White's soon-to-be replacement as the versatile right-side defender in the squad.