Arsenal open up lead over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League with goals from Brazilians Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães

Arsenal faces Atlético de Madrid in the third round of the UEFA Champions League league phase at Emirates Stadium, London, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Starting at 4:00 PM Brasília time, the match sees Arsenal leading 4-0 by the 26th minute of the second half, driven by goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhães, and two from Viktor Gyökeres. The game remains ongoing, with Arsenal controlling play and Atlético seeking a comeback.

The Gunners, leaders of the Premier League with 19 points, enter unbeaten in the competition after victories over Athletic Bilbao and Olympiacos. Atlético, fourth in La Liga with 16 points, comes off a loss to Liverpool and a thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt.

The crowd packs the stadium, creating an intense atmosphere from the Champions League anthem.

• Key lineups: Arsenal with Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli. Atlético with Oblak; Le Normand, Giménez, Hancko, Llorente; Koke, Barrios, González; Simeone, Álvarez, Sorloth.

El festejo de Arteta y el gringo Heinze después del gol del Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/L2o7aqJwPh

— De Primera (@DePrimeraa) October 21, 2025

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Key moments timeline

The first half ended 0-0, with chances for both sides, but Arsenal came back strong in the second half.

• 11′ 2H: Goal by Gabriel Magalhães. Declan Rice takes a free kick and lofts it into the box; the defender heads it in without jumping to open the scoring.
• 19′ 2H: Goal by Gabriel Martinelli. Lewis-Skelly advances down the left and passes to the forward, who slots it into Oblak’s bottom left corner, despite the keeper’s touch.
• 22′ 2H: Goal by Viktor Gyökeres. Martinelli crosses, Eze’s shot deflects, and the Swede taps in from close range after a ricochet off Ruggeri.
• 25′ 2H: Second goal by Gyökeres. After a team move, the forward strikes first-time in the box to make it 3-0.
• 26′ 2H: The match continues with Arsenal pressing and Atlético looking for counterattacks, no further goals so far.

Formation and early tactical adjustments

Manager Mikel Arteta opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing possession and wing play. Saka and Martinelli exploit the flanks, while Eze and Rice control midfield.

Atlético’s Diego Simeone chose a 4-4-2, focusing on quick transitions via Álvarez and Simeone. Early second-half substitutions aimed to bolster defense.

Possession favors Arsenal at 57% against Atlético’s 43% in the opening minutes.

These adjustments allowed the Gunners to dictate the tempo, forcing errors in Atlético’s buildup.

Match statistics overview

Arsenal holds an edge in shots, averaging 4.7 per game in the competition, against Atlético’s 6.3. The Gunners have 9 points from two rounds, while Atlético has 3.

• Corners: Arsenal 2, Atlético 4.3 on average.
• Yellow cards: 2 for Arsenal, 1.7 for Atlético.
• Table position: Arsenal 3rd with 9 points; Atlético 16th with 3.

These figures highlight Arsenal’s defensive efficiency, conceding no goals in prior matches.

In the second half, Arsenal ramps up pressure, holding 69% possession in recent minutes.

Brazilian players’ performance

Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal’s forward, scores his first Champions League goal of the season at 19 minutes of the second half. The 24-year-old finishes precisely after a Lewis-Skelly pass, cementing his attacking importance.

Gabriel Magalhães, the defender, opens the scoring with a precise header from a free kick. His area awareness proves decisive.

Atlético’s Julián Álvarez creates chances but misses key shots, like a crossbar hit at 3 minutes of the second half.

These performances underscore the impact of South American players in the European clash.

Martinelli now has three goals in the competition, while Magalhães adds defensive solidity.

Reactions and atmosphere at Emirates

Arsenal fans celebrate each goal loudly, filling the stadium with chants. Around 200 Atlético supporters remain vocal despite the scoreline.

Referee Paolo Massa manages the game firmly, issuing a yellow card to José Giménez at 33 minutes of the first half for a foul on Gyökeres.

Atlético makes substitutions at 18 minutes of the second half, including Ruggeri for Nico González, Gallagher for Koke, and Álex Baena for another midfielder, aiming to balance the midfield.

Arsenal responds with minimal changes, maintaining offensive momentum.

First-half danger moments

Before the break, Arsenal created the best chances, but the score stayed level. At 4 minutes, Eze hit the crossbar after a Hancko deflection, with Rice missing the rebound.

At 19 minutes, Saka shot at Oblak’s exit, with the keeper saving well. Martinelli had a goal disallowed for offside at 36 minutes after a Saka cross.

Atlético’s Álvarez missed a clear chance at 24 minutes, shooting wide with an open goal after Raya’s error.

These moments kept the tension high, setting the stage for Arsenal’s second-half dominance.

The initial balance gave way to London’s superiority.

Second-half developments

At 4-0 by 26 minutes, Arsenal manages the game, dropping lines to counter Atlético’s attacks. Gyökeres, formerly of Sporting, scores his first brace for the Gunners in the Champions League, adapting quickly.

Atlético presses with Llorente crosses, but Hancko heads over at 16 minutes. Álvarez tries a shot at 13 minutes, blocked by Eze.

The match remains open, with Arsenal seeking more goals and Atlético relying on rival errors to respond.

David Raya makes solid saves, like at 7 minutes when he denies Gyökeres in the box.

These elements keep the duel dynamic until the final whistle.