Arsenal's first real test of the season was not Man City or Liverpool

Arsenal has laid down a marker that they are the ones to beat in the Premier League title race this season. Mikel Arteta's men have made a blistering start to the campaign, sitting top of the table with six wins and one defeat, to Liverpool, in eight games.

The signs are promising regarding Arteta finally being able to deliver a title that evaded the North Londoners since 2004. While his side may have lost at Anfield, and been forced to settle on a draw at home to Manchester City, they have otherwise been faultless, including in the Champions League.

The bookies have made Arsenal favourites to win the Premier League and the European title. That does seem a bit far-fetched, but tonight's clash with Atlético Madrid will really indicate whether they have what it takes to claim either of those major honors come the end of the season.

Arsenal can prove a point with massive Atlético Madrid win

While Diego Simeone's Atleti may not be the powerhouse of years gone by, they remain one of the toughest opposition in Europe. They make life difficult for their opponents with their aggression, defensive solidity and quick and effective counter-attacks.

There are some similarities between Arteta and Simeone's philosophies with both putting a particular focus on defence. We saw just how tough the Spaniards can be after 3-2 defeat to Liverpool, a loss that held comparisons to the manner of the Gunners' loss on Merseyside.

Atleti are now the ultimate test for the North Londoners to truly make a statement and tell their rivals it's the season they mean bussiness. But they will be wary of a visiting side boasting some of the very best attackers in the game, including Julián Alvarez.

The Argentine has been sensational at the Metropolitano after leaving City in the summer of 2024. He's kicked off this season with seven goals and three assists in 10 games across competitions and perhaps is one to consider as a future target if more question marks grow over Viktor Gyökeres.

That's not forgetting his strike partner, Antoine Griezmann, a world-class talent who has thrived throughout two spells under Simeone. It will be important for Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba to be on song against the deadly duo.

Arteta must be prepared for war against Simeone

Whenever an English team meets Atleti in the Champions League you know it isn't just the two sides who will likely be squaring off. Simeone is often in the news because of his touchline antics, and that's something Arteta will have to bear in mind.

Simeone served a one-game suspension in his men's 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt last time out. He was sent off for a feisty exchange with a Liverpool fan during a 3-2 Anfield defeat.

Arteta has dealt with similarly hot-headed coaches before who try and impose themselves on the game. The win over FC Porto in the 2023-24 last 16, when he was embroiled in a war of words with Sérgio Conceição, comes to mind.

Tonight is the night for his troops to truly show the world that they are ready to take home one of the top prizes on offer. But everyone, including Arteta, needs to show composure against the troublemaking visitors.