Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League final for the first time in two decades on Tuesday, defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium to progress 2-1 on aggregate.
Bukayo Saka proved the hero of the night, capitalizing on a weak parry from Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak just before halftime. The England international was the quickest to react after Leandro Trossard’s stinging drive was spilled, tapping home in the 44th minute to send the North London crowd into a frenzy.
Saka’s return from injury could not have come at a better time for Arsenal. He scored in the 3-0 win over Fulham at the weekend and was alert to poke home a rebound in the 44th minute after Jan Oblak spilled Leandro Trossard’s shot at his feet.
“This is a high pressure game. It means a lot to both sides. We managed it well,” Saka said. “Sometimes it bounces for you and sometimes it doesn’t but it fell for me and we’re in final now.”
Arsenal’s season appeared to be faltering a few weeks ago but is now bubbling towards what could be a glorious crescendo.
A day after Manchester City’s stumble in a draw at Everton left Arsenal within touching distance of a first English title since 2004, they are now one step from European glory.
They will face either holders Paris St Germain, who knocked them out in last season’s semi-finals, or Bayern Munich in the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30 — a week after they hope to have sealed their first Premier League title for 22 years.
Whoever they face will not fancy playing a clinically efficient Arsenal side with history on their minds.
The victory marks a historic milestone for Mikel Arteta’s side, who have not reached the final of Europe’s premier club competition since 2006.
