Bukayo Saka has sent Arsenal through to the Champions League final after his close-range strike was enough to beat Atletico Madrid 1-0.
The Gunners, who advanced through 2-1 on aggregate, dominated proceedings throughout and saw out the victory with a resilient display in the second half.
Mikel Arteta beamed at full time as the celebrations started, with either PSG or Bayern Munich the only obstacle standing in Arsenal’s way of their first Champions League title.
It marks a historic night for the Gunners, who will play in their second-ever Champions League final.
Bukayo Saka has sent Arsenal through to the Champions League final
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REUTERS
A mixed start in the opening 10 minutes saw Declan Rice make a crucial interception to deny Giuliano Simeone from a clear-cut chance on goal.
Viktor Gyokeres proved to be producing the Atletico defence some trouble, winning the Gunners’ their first corner of the game with some excellent hold-up play.
Arteta’s men started to pile on the pressure against Atletico, creating a couple of half-decent chances, with Gabriel seeing his effort flash wide.
Youngster Lewis-Skelly put a great ball in right across the face of the goal, but no one in red was there to tap in from close range.
Mikel Arteta has masterminded his way past Atletico Madrid
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REUTERS
The Gunners fans were in full voice still after half an hour, as their team looked the stronger of the two and most likely to find the net first.
Leandro Trossard had a small claim for a penalty 10 minutes before half-time after a coming together with Antoine Griezmann, but referee Daniel Siebert waved the claim away.
Julian Alvarez was virtually chasing shadows in the opening 40 minutes as Arsenal dominated proceedings, but could not create a key opportunity.
But just before half-time, their club captain Saka put them in front after Gyokeres made a great run.
The Swede put in a fantastic ball which eventually fell to Trossard, who fizzed a strike into the bottom right corner, well saved by Jan Oblak, but Saka was on hand to tap home and give the Gunners the lead before half-time.
Saka’s close-range strike was enough to win the contest
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REUTERS
Into the second half, and Arsenal survived an early scare after Gabriel went in on Simeone, who was convinced he was fouled after going through on goal, but VAR deemed otherwise.
Griezmann was denied by David Raya with an excellent save, as Arsenal looked to contain the Spanish side’s pressure.
Moments after coming on for goalscorer Saka, Martin Odegaard had a half-decent chance but curled his effort over the bar.
The Gunners made it difficult for Atletico, setting up in a deep 4-4-2 with virtually no space for their creative players to operate.
The victory marks a historic night in Arsenal’s history
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REUTERS
Twenty minutes into the second half, substitute Piero Hincapie put in a wicked delivery, but Gyokeres fired over from close range.
Marcos Llorente worked his way into a good position, taking on a strike with his weaker left foot, but it was easily saved by Raya.
Alexander Sorloth had a great opportunity on minute 85, but scuffed his effort as the Arsenal supporters breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The Gunners continued to contain Atletico and saw out the five minutes of stoppage time to book their place in the Champions League final.
It’s a historic night for the Gunners, who thoroughly deserve to be in the final, being the better side on the night.
Arsenal fans will be booking their flights for Budapest at the end of the month, with either PSG or Bayern Munich standing in their way from becoming champions of Europe.
