Arsenal won tickets to the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in 20 years thanks to a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates, thereby winning 2-1 on aggregate after two semi-final matches.
The hero of the Emirates Stadium team is Bukayo Saka with a close-range tap-in in the 45th minute after Leandro Trossard's finish was blocked. The only goal of the match was enough to create an explosive atmosphere in the Emirates stands when the final whistle sounded.
This is only the second time Arsenal has reached the Champions League final, after the defeat to Barcelona in 2006. This achievement also marks an important milestone for coach Mikel Arteta, who is gradually bringing Arsenal back to the elite group of Europe.
The match took place with a tense game as expected. Atletico Madrid started better when Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone continuously put pressure, but Arsenal gradually controlled the game and made good use of opportunities right before halftime.
In the second half, coach Diego Simeone's team pushed up the squad to find an equalizer. Alexander Sorloth missed a golden opportunity at the end of the match, while Antoine Griezmann had an energetic match but could not make a difference.
One of the biggest pillars of The Gunners continues to be the defense. The duo Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba play solidly, helping the London team concede only 6 goals in 14 matches in the Champions League this season.
The victory against Atletico Madrid also continues to affirm Saka's increasing role. The player who grew up from the Arsenal academy became the first player of the club to score in two consecutive Champions League semi-finals, and continues to prove his value in big matches.
Not only scoring the decisive goal, Saka also brings a difference in the ability to create breakthroughs on the right flank. The speed, technique and confidence of the England international continuously make Atletico's defense difficult. After a long period of struggling with injuries and unstable form, this performance is considered a sign that Saka is returning right at the most important time of the season.
The atmosphere at the Emirates also became a special part of the victory. Thousands of Arsenal fans gathered many hours before the match to welcome the team, creating a rarely seen enthusiastic scene. When the final whistle sounded, the players simultaneously ran towards the stands to celebrate with the fans - an image clearly reflecting the cohesion and belief that are returning strongly in North London.
In the opposite direction, Atletico once again succumbed at the decisive moment under Simeone. Although the Argentine strategist still showed the familiar fiery spirit outside the wing and continuously adjusted tactics, the Spanish team continued to lack sharpness in important situations.
This match may also mark Griezmann's last appearance in the Champions League in Atletico's colors. The French striker played very hard, often retreated deep to support defense and participated in most dangerous attacks, but could not help his team create a comeback.
In the final in Budapest, Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich. After two decades of waiting, the "Gunners" are now only one match away from the first Champions League trophy in history.
