Arsenal are in the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years. Bukayo Saka's 44th-minute rebound goal was all that separated the sides at a raucous Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. A disciplined, compact performance from Arteta's side strangled Atletico Madrid into submission — the Spaniards managing just two shots on target and 0.53 expected goals across 90 minutes. The Gunners held their nerve and are Budapest-bound on May 30.
THE GOAL
The breakthrough came just before half-time and it was a typically opportunistic Saka finish. Leandro Trossard drove forward and fired a low effort at Jan Oblak, who could only parry the ball straight back into the six-yard box. Saka, always alert, got to the rebound before any Atletico defender and poked it home from close range. Not a thing of beauty — but it sent the Emirates into delirium. Saka has now been involved in 14 Champions League goals in 14 appearances at the Emirates, scoring nine and assisting five. He is also the first Arsenal player to score in two different UCL semi-finals, having netted against PSG last season.
HOW THE GAME PLAYED OUT
Arsenal set up to be disciplined and compact — a sharp contrast to the open, end-to-end battle of the first leg in Madrid. Declan Rice made a crucial block early on, putting Giuliano Simeone off when a goal looked likely. Rice was imperious throughout — completing 86 passes and winning every aerial duel he contested. Lewis-Skelly started in midfield alongside Rice and was excellent until picking up a knock that forced him off for Zubimendi in the second half. Calafiori started at left-back and was solid throughout.
Atletico's best moments came in the second half. Griezmann tested Raya with a low effort in the 56th minute that the Spaniard saved comfortably. A penalty appeal for a foul on Griezmann was checked by VAR and dismissed. Gyokeres had a golden chance in the 66th minute — Hincapie found him with a cross inside the box but the Swede fired over. Arsenal's finishing let them down at times but the scoreline never felt in serious danger. Gabriel made a crucial clearance to deny Giuliano Simeone a goal-bound effort in the first half. Griezmann also struck the post late in the first leg — his European journey may now be over. He made 128 appearances in major European competitions, the fourth-most by any French player.
In the final minutes, Simeone threw Almada and Baena on for Alvarez and Griezmann in desperation. It made no difference. The full-time whistle came and Arteta dropped to his knees on the Emirates turf.
LINEUPS
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres. Subs: Zubimendi (for Lewis-Skelly), Odegaard (for Eze), Hincapie (for Calafiori), Madueke (for Saka).
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; G. Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez. Subs: Cardoso (for Lookman), Sorloth (for Le Normand), Molina (for G. Simeone), Almada (for Alvarez), Baena (for Griezmann).
THE NUMBERS
Arsenal: 58% possession, 11 shots, 4 on target, xG 1.21.
Atletico: 42% possession, 9 shots, 2 on target, xG 0.53.
Arsenal's unbeaten UCL run now stands at 14 games — the longest ever unbeaten run in a single Champions League campaign. Of 44 teams that have played 14+ games in a UCL campaign, Arsenal are the only one to remain unbeaten throughout.
WHAT IT MEANS
Arsenal are in the Champions League final for the first time since 2006 — when they lost to Barcelona in Paris. They await the winner of Wednesday's second leg between PSG and Bayern Munich in Munich. PSG lead that tie 5-4 on aggregate. The final is at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30. Arteta said after the game: "This is for every single person who has supported this club. Twenty years. We are back." Arsenal also received a boost in the title race — City dropped points in a 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday, meaning Arsenal can go three points clear with a win at West Ham on Saturday.
