Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in two decades after a narrow 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
England forward Bukayo Saka proved decisive, scoring the only goal of the semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium to seal a 2-1 aggregate triumph for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners had drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Madrid, but Saka’s composed finish before half-time ensured progression, as the hosts held firm under pressure to secure a historic qualification.
It marks Arsenal’s first appearance in Europe’s elite final since 2006, when they fell 2-1 to FC Barcelona—their only previous outing at that stage of the competition.
Arteta’s men will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final scheduled for May 30 in Budapest.
The victory capped an emotional night for the North London side, who have endured years of near-misses in European competitions, including a heavy defeat to Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League final.
Still chasing a historic double, Arsenal sit top of the Premier League and are closing in on their first league title since 2004. Their title charge received a boost after Manchester City dropped points earlier in the week.
The current squad, led by Arteta, is now on the brink of eclipsing the achievements of the club’s famed “Invincibles” era under Arsène Wenger, with the possibility of delivering both domestic and continental glory.
For Saka, a product of Arsenal’s academy, the winning goal underscored his growing influence and status as a symbol of the club’s resurgence.
With just weeks to the final, Arsenal are now within touching distance of securing their first-ever Champions League crown.
