Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2006, defeating Atlético Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium in north London on Tuesday to advance 2-1 on aggregate. The decisive moment came just before half-time, when Bukayo Saka reacted quickest to slot home a rebound after Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak had parried a low drive from Leandro Trossard. Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedish striker, had unsettled the Atlético defence with a clever run before crossing for Trossard, whose shot was only weakly pushed out by Oblak — leaving Saka to finish from close range. The result completes a comeback for a side that had endured four defeats in six matches only weeks ago, and were widely questioned over their mental fortitude.
Arsenal, managed by Spaniard Mikel Arteta, now advance to the final in Budapest on 30 May, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich — PSG, the defending champions who eliminated Arsenal at this stage last season, led 5-4 on aggregate ahead of Wednesday's second leg in Munich. It is only Arsenal's second-ever Champions League final appearance; their first ended in a 2-1 defeat against Barcelona's side, coached by Frank Rijkaard, in Paris in 2006. The club have never lifted the European Cup in any of its forms, with their two continental trophies coming in the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup and the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
The second half was tense, with Atlético pressing for the goal that would have levelled the tie. Gabriel Magalhães made a last-ditch tackle to deny Giuliano Simeone what appeared a certain finish, while goalkeeper David Raya produced a key save to repel a fierce effort from Antoine Griezmann. Referee Daniel Siebert rejected two penalty appeals from the Spanish side for fouls on Simeone and Griezmann. Substitute Alexander Sørloth spurned a late chance to force extra time, heading wide when well-placed — a costly miss that summed up Atlético's evening. The Madrid club, who were making a bid for their fourth European Cup final, showed resilience and created enough chances to level, but lacked the clinical edge when it mattered most.
Saka's performance added another chapter to a remarkable personal story. Returning from an Achilles injury, the 24-year-old England international is now the first Arsenal player to score in two different Champions League semi-finals, having also netted against PSG last year. He has now registered 14 direct goal contributions in 14 Champions League appearances at the Emirates. Arteta, who recently revealed he had visualised Arsenal winning the Champions League even in the difficult early years of his reign, punched the air as the stadium erupted in celebration. Thousands of supporters had gathered outside the ground before kick-off with flares and flags.
The result arrives at a pivotal moment in what could be Arsenal's greatest-ever season. As Premier League leaders, the club need only to win their remaining three league matches — against West Ham United, Burnley and Crystal Palace — to be crowned English champions for the first time since the unbeaten 2003-04