The only previous meetings between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid in Europe came in the semi-finals of the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League, where the Gunners were eliminated 2-1 on aggregate by Diego Simeone’s side, and with Diego Costa scoring the tie’s decisive goal (drew 1-1 at home, lost 0-1 away).

Atlético 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.