Arsenal saw off Atlético Madrid at the Emirates with a 1-0 win on the night to book their first Champions League final place since 2006.
The sole goal came in the first half as a Leandro Trossard shot was parried by Jan Oblak, with Bukayo Saka on the spot to fire in, putting the hosts into a 2-1 aggregate lead.
Mikel Arteta’s men held off the pressure in the second half with Declan Rice and Gabriel among the standout performers.
They will now take on either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain — with the German champions leading by a single goal after a cracking first leg last week.
Here’s how it happened.
– Atlético Madrid complain to UEFA after fireworks set off outside London hotel
– Arsenal get ‘good news’ with Ødegaard, Havertz available
Tonight’s hosts and their fans came into this one feeling buoyed after Manchester City drew at Everton on Monday — handing the Gunners a huge advantage in the Premier League title race, meaning a historic double is potentially just four matches away.
Diego Simeone was looking to guide his side to their first final in this competition since 2016.
The Atlético boss had shifted his focus to tonight’s clash lineup wise — as he made 11 changes to the side which played last Wednesday’s first leg for a LaLiga trip to Valencia at the weekend.
Arsenal’s excellent showing in the league phase of the competition was rewarded, as their second place finish guaranteed them a home second leg in the semifinal.
