Arsenal booked a place in the Champions League final for the first time in two decades, with Bukayo Saka’s strike securing a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium and sealing a 2-1 aggregate triumph.
On a landmark evening for the north London side, Saka converted the decisive goal just before the break after Leandro Trossard’s effort had been pushed away, confirming Arsenal’s spot in the final against either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30.
The Gunners, hoping to win the competition for the first time after losing to Barcelona in their only previous final in 2006, earned the win but were pushed hard again by Atletico in another intense clash.
The outcome could have been different if the impressive Declan Rice had not produced a crucial tackle to deny Giuliano Simeone a clear scoring chance in the first half. After the interval, Gabriel Magalhaes made another key intervention on the same player to prevent a goal.
Still, Arsenal—resolute after grinding out a draw in last week’s first leg—delivered another superb defensive performance to restrict Atletico’s opportunities, while also failing to take chances that could have put the result beyond doubt.
Viktor Gyokeres missed the clearest opening, blasting over from a low cross by substitute Piero Hincapie despite being well positioned centrally. Ultimately, Saka’s goal was enough, as Mikel Arteta’s team managed the final moments before marking a historic victory.
