Atletico Madrid v Arsenal: Three key head-to-head battles 

Julian Alvarez won’t have it all his own way in a game that may well be attritional and low scoring. If he comes out on top, then Arsenal have problems.

Julian Alvarez v William Saliba 

Atleti manager Diego Simeone admitted in his pre-match press conference that Arsenal are interested in signing his star striker, which makes this match-up particularly interesting for neutrals and Gunners fans alike.

Alvarez has been enjoying a remarkable season, scoring 48 goals in 104 games for the La Liga side (including nine in 13 games in the Champions League) and at the age of 26 is still improving.

Barcelona and Paris St Germain are also watching his progress closely but Arsenal, in particular, are in need of a prolific striker and this is a chance to see him up against one of the best defenders in Europe.

Gabriel has won most of the plaudits this year in defence for Arsenal, dominating both boxes for Mikel Arteta’s side. But Saliba has been quietly excellent. His seemingly effortless technique and an instinctive ability to be always in the right place often goes under the radar.

Alvarez won’t have it all his own way in a game that may well be attritional and low scoring. If he comes out on top, then Arsenal have problems.

David Raya v Jan Oblak 

It’s not often that goalkeepers are picked out as the two to watch but in a game that many believe will extremely tight, with set pieces a major feature, they may prove to be the difference between defeat and victory.

Both Raya and Oblak are excellent with their distribution (Raya has a 75% passing rate according to UEFA stats and Oblak 76%) and both have made a similar number of saves in this season’s competition (Raya 28 to Oblak’s 29).

But there’s a major difference when it comes to goals conceded.

Remarkably, Raya has kept eight clean sheets during the campaign, conceding just x times. His rival has shipped 20 goals without a single shut-out, and that will please Arsenal. They know Raya is capable of incredible match-winning saves and believe they have the stronger goalkeeper.

One word of caution, however. Atleti have scored 34 goals in the competition this season, their highest ever in a Champions League campaign. So, Raya may have a busy night before he comes out on top.

Koke v Declan Rice 

The experienced Koke, now 34, plays a captain’s role for Atleti and sums up what makes them special having played his entire career for the same club.

With 70 caps for Spain, he was runner up in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League seasons but has never lifted the trophy.

There’s little doubt he will have a big influence on this tie and no doubt at all that Atletic will arrive with the right attitude and a determination to fight to the death.

That, however, is what Rice enjoys. Currently having the best season of his life, and a candidate for the Premier League Player of the Season, this is the kind of game he was made for.

He hasn’t quite been at his best in recent matches, perhaps injuries and a long, intense season have caught up on him a bit. But if Rice is going to show up, you’d expect it to be in Madrid – and he’s favourite to win this duel. 

He’s overdue a goal, too, having scored just once since 8 January.