Arsenal will contest in their first UEFA Champions League final in 20 years after Bukayo Saka scored the winner in a narrow 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the semi-final second leg.
The Gunners put on a determined display in front of a deafening Emirates Stadium crowd to see off Spanish La Liga giants Atleti and book their tickets for the final in Budapest, following last week’s 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano.
You could cut the tension with a knife throughout much of the first half as Arsenal dominated possession but Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos looked a regular threat on the transition.
Declan Rice made a heroic sliding challenge to stop one potent Atleti counter, dispossessing Giuliano Simone at the final moment as he attempted to convert from a low Antoine Griezmann cross.
Saka then missed a decent chance down the other end, volleying wide of the target when unmarked at the far post from an inswinging Rice corner.
But that moment was soon forgotten as Arsenal found the crucial breakthrough just before half time, Saka poking home from close range after Leandro Trossard’s low strike was spilled by Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Viktor Gyokeres, arguably Arsenal’s best player on the night for his hold-up work and runs in the channels, played a key role in the goal as he forced Oblak wide before Trossard’s shot.
The visitors came out of the blocks firing in the second period as they pushed for an equaliser, Simeone making all five substitutes by the 65th minute as he threw everything at Arsenal.
However Mikel Arteta’s Gunners stood firm, absorbing the pressure and holding on for a famous victory in front of their jubilant home support.
Arsenal, targeting an ambitious double, will take on either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final on Saturday, May 30.
