Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in 20 years after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Bukayo Saka grabbed the decisive goal as Arsenal overcame Atletico Madrid to seal their place in the Champions League final.
Having snapped a seven-game streak without a goal contribution when he scored and assisted against Fulham in the Premier League last weekend, captain Saka once again proved to be Arsenal’s hero as they booked their spot in the final of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in two decades.
The Gunners, buoyed by title rivals Manchester City dropping points in the Premier League title race, took the lead when Saka tapped home from a rebound in the 44th minute at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal last reached the Champions League final in 2006, when they lost 2-1 to FC Barcelona.
Arteta reacts after historic victory
“It’s an incredible night. We made history again together. I cannot be happier and prouder of everyone involved in this football club. The manner that we got to see outside the stadium was special and unique. The atmosphere that our supporters created, the energy, the way they lived every ball with us, it made it special and unique,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said after the match. “I never felt that in the stadium. We knew how much it meant to everybody. We put everything in, the boys did an incredible job. After 20 years and for the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”
The Gunners, who are also five points clear in the Premier League title race, will now look to win the Champions League for the first time when they face either PSG or Bayern Munich, who meet tonight with the French side leading 5-4 on aggregate.
“Now we go to the level that I think a top club that wants to be fighting consistently for the highest trophies, that’s a must. We’ve got it now, now we have to maintain it,” Arteta said.
The 2026 UEFA Champions League final will be held on May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.
READ ALSO: Malawi’s CAF-Approved Bingu Stadium Disconnected Over Unpaid Electricity Bills
