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Arsenal are back in the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years thanks to a late first-half goal from Bukayo Saka that secured a 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.
Saka was on hand to grab the rebound after Leandro Trossard’s shot was saved by Jan Oblak in the 45th minute to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead on aggregate in the second leg of their semi-final.
The Gunners’ stingy defense did the rest as Arsenal have now kept a clean sheet at home in all three knockout rounds. The team also conceded a competition-record four goals in winning all eight of their matches in the league stage.
This will be only Arsenal’s second final in Europe’s premier competition, having lost the 2006 title game to Barcelona.
This time, the Gunners will face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in Budapest, Hungary on May 30. won the thrilling first leg of their semi-final 5-4and the return match will take place in Munich on Wednesday.
It could prove to be a special season for the little Londoner, who is now one game away from his first European Cup title and three games away from a first Premier League crown in 22 years.
The Gunners are assured of winning the domestic title if they win their remaining three matches, after their closest rivals Manchester City were held to a 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday.
Atlético had a chance to equalize in the 51st when Giuliano Simeone chased down a poor back header from William Saliba to round goalkeeper David Raya, but centre-back Gabriel did just enough to send his effort wide.
Atlético were then denied a possible penalty when Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori stepped on Antoine Griezmann’s foot in the area, with referee Daniel Siebert awarding the hosts a free kick for an earlier incident.
Atlético coach Diego Simeone, dressed in his usual all-black outfit, became increasingly agitated on the sidelines as decisions went against his club and the search for an equalizer proved fruitless. He was finally booked for his reprimands in stoppage time.
Simeone led his team to the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016, losing both times to Real Madrid, but will have to wait for a third chance to give the club their first European Cup.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres had a good chance to double the lead on a counter-attack in the 66th when Piero Hincapie picked him out with a cross, but he placed his shot over the bar.
As expected, however, this match never looked likely to develop into the free-flowing, attacking play of the PSG-Bayern match, as Arsenal’s defense held firm.
Whichever team wins this second semi-final, the final in Budapest promises to be a contrast of styles.
