Arsenal supporters found themselves engulfed in violent confrontations outside the Metropolitano Stadium this evening ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Spanish police deployed tear gas after home fans, uniformly dressed in black, engaged in clashes with local officers more than sixty minutes before the scheduled kick-off.
The disturbances quickly spread, drawing in travelling Gunners fans who had made the journey to the Spanish capital for one of the club's most significant European fixtures in years.
Riot officers were observed forming tactical lines as tensions escalated outside the ground, with the sound of bangs echoing around the stadium's perimeter.
Arsenal and Atletico Madrid fans were met by riot police outside the stadium
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Witnesses at the scene described chaotic conditions as officers discharged rubber bullets in attempts to restore order among the crowds.
Supporters were compelled to shield their mouths and noses with scarves whilst navigating their way towards the stadium entrance.
A pungent odour of the chemical irritant hung in the air surrounding the venue, according to those present.
Spanish publication Marca captured footage showing the confrontation, with their reporting indicating that authorities charged at groups of supporters.
Some Atletico followers were seen raising their hands to signal they posed no threat, whilst others attempted to escape by climbing over fencing as smoke from tear gas and flares filled the atmosphere.
Tear gas was used to break up the crowds before Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal
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Claims circulating on social media that plastic bullets were discharged by police have yet to be independently verified.
Video footage of the crowd disturbances has been reviewed by journalists present at the scene.
European football's governing body has been approached for a response following the incidents that cast a shadow over proceedings in Madrid.
The unsavoury events overshadowed what should have been a celebratory occasion for both sets of supporters, with questions likely to be raised about security arrangements at the venue.
Neither club has yet issued a statement regarding the pre-match disorder that left fans caught in the crossfire of the police response.
🚨 ¡Cargas policiales en los aledaños del Metropolitano! #UCL pic.twitter.com/dSfK7fHMvN
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) April 29, 2026
This is not the first occasion that disorder has marred a European night at the Metropolitano this season.
When Atletico faced Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final, officers were witnessed striking fans with batons and deploying gas during confrontations with home supporters, with several individuals requiring medical treatment for head wounds.
For Arsenal, tonight's fixture represents their finest opportunity to reach the Champions League final since their last appearance in 2006.
Atletico Madrid fans also threw toilet roll at the Arsenal players
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The north London side arrived in confident mood having thrashed Atletico 4-0 during the group stage in October, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres all finding the net.