Arsenal stand on the cusp of a historic double after Bukayo Saka fired the club into its first Champions League final in 20 years with a 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
Saka tapped in a rebound in the 45th minute after Jan Oblak saved Leandro Trossard’s initial effort, sealing a 2-1 aggregate triumph. It marks only the second time the Gunners have reached the final of Europe’s premier competition, following their 2006 defeat to Barcelona.
“It’s an incredible night, we made history again together, and I cannot be happier,” manager Mikel Arteta said. “The boys did an incredible job, and after 20 years, for only the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”
Arteta praised the electric atmosphere in North London, noting that he had never felt such energy in the stadium. He credited the supporters with providing the necessary drive to see out the result against a resilient Spanish side.
The wait for a first Champions League title continues for Atlético, who previously reached the final in 2014 and 2016. Despite late pressure from Antoine Griezmann and Viktor Gyökeres, Diego Simeone’s side could not break down an Arsenal defence that has conceded just four goals in the competition.
“It’s so beautiful. You love to see what it means to us, what it means to the fans,” Saka said. Having been just four years old when the club last reached this stage, the winger now has the chance to secure Arsenal’s first European Cup.
The London side will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30. PSG currently hold a 5-4 lead heading into the second leg of their semifinal in Munich on Wednesday.
Domestically, the outlook is equally bright. With Manchester City drawing 3-3 at Everton, Arsenal could secure its first Premier League title in 22 years by winning its remaining three fixtures.
“Everybody can feel a shift in energy, in belief, in everything,” Arteta said. He cautioned that the margins for success remain slim, but insisted his squad possesses the conviction to achieve their goals.
Saka admitted that managing the high-pressure closing stages was difficult but essential. “We managed it well to take ourselves to the final, so we’re happy,” he said.