Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in 20 years after Bukayo Saka fired a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side sealed the semi-final second leg at a raucous Emirates Stadium, with Saka striking late in the first half. After a 1-1 draw in Madrid, Arsenal advanced 2-1 on aggregate.
They will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30. Defending champions PSG, who eliminated Arsenal at this stage last year, hold a 5-4 advantage heading into the second leg in Munich.
It marks a landmark moment for Arsenal, who last reached the final in 2006, when they were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona. The club is still chasing its first Champions League title, with its only major European honours being the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup and the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Their most recent continental final ended in a 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League.
This season could become the greatest in the club’s history as they pursue a Premier League and Champions League double. Even the famed “Invincibles” era under Arsene Wenger—who led Arsenal to an unbeaten league title in 2004—may be eclipsed if the current squad completes the job.
Saka, a product of the club’s academy and a defining figure of the Arteta era, once again proved decisive. Arsenal, now just four games away from a historic campaign, also received a boost in the title race after Manchester City dropped points in a draw with Everton.
The Gunners will secure the league title if they win their remaining matches against West Ham United, Burnley and Crystal Palace. With the domestic race nearing its conclusion, attention will soon turn to Hungary and the chance to finally lift Europe’s most coveted trophy.
Arteta has previously spoken about visualising Champions League success even during the difficult early stages of his tenure. Now, he stands just one victory away from turning that ambition into reality.
The decisive moment came in the 44th minute, when Viktor Gyokeres’ intelligent run disrupted Atletico’s defence before his cross found Leandro Trossard. Trossard’s low shot was parried weakly by Jan Oblak, allowing Saka to react quickest and tap home from close range.
Arteta celebrated passionately on the touchline as the Emirates erupted in a sea of red, marking a night that could define a generation for Arsenal.
