The purification
20 is the most mentioned number after Arsenal won 1-0 against Atletico Madrid in London (combined 2-1) to win a ticket to the UEFA Champions League 2025-2026 final. After 20 years, The Gunners have the next time setting foot in the most anticipated match of the season. And when Arsenal is a "strange" club, it is understandable why the emotions in London and their fans around the world are rising and exploding like a volcano.
Strangely, despite being one of the teams with many achievements in the domestic league, when entering the big playground of the old continent, they are still just like young people, fragile, shy and easily broken. The best achievements are only the championship of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970 and the C2 Cup (Cup Winners’ Cup) in 1994.
When they first reached the final of the C1/Champions League Cup in 2026, they saw Liverpool 5 times European champions, Manchester United 2 times, or even teams like Nottingham Forest (2 times), Aston Villa (1), or even Leeds United also reach the final from 1975. Then when they came to Chelsea (champion 2012, 2021), Manchester City (finalist 2021, champion 2023) emerging as new powers, the Gunners became even more "despised" after each failure.
Even in the Premier League, the last time Arsenal won the championship was 22 years ago. A longing and panic haunted North London, where Arsenal is called "children who don't grow up" under the prolonged reign of former coach Arsene Wenger. However, it seems that after 2 decades, signs of "differentity" have appeared, with a brick named Mikel Arteta.
Still not finished
Arsenal finally "followed the tide" to go to the open sea after many years of being stuck in doubts. When Arsenal is no longer afraid of the ghosts of the past, the joy after the final whistle is not only for 90 minutes, but for 20 years of waiting. Some people call this a "steel fist into doubts".
But, no matter how explosive the emotions are, it must still be reminded that the Gunners have only "seen the finish line" and have not crossed the finish line. Another match is very close, but it could also be very far away. If we need to take an example, Atletico themselves have reached the final 3 times but have not yet been crowned champions, Valencia or Reims of ancient times (both reached the final 2 times) are also like that.
Of course, warning is warning, Arteta knows that to remind his students. As for them at this time, when they are at the peak of faith and courage, they come to Hungary with a different mindset. The mindset of a conqueror, especially when facing history of becoming the first team to win the Champions League after an unbeaten journey.
As Thierry Henry said, when his generation is "invincible" (2003-2004 Premier League champion without losing any match), the victory in this year's Champions League will help Bukayo Saka and his teammates become "immortal".
