Mikel Arteta has hailed Arsenal’s performance after they sealed their spot in the final of the UEFA Champions League with a narrow 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
The Gunners had recorded a 1-1 draw from the first leg and Bukayo Saka’s goal in the first half of Tuesday’s tie was enough to secure a 2-1 aggregate result and book a spot in the final of the competition for the first time in 20 years.
Arsenal’s last UCL final came in 2006, but they were defeated on that occasion by Barcelona and they now have a real chance to win their first title this time around.
“It’s one of the best nights that I’ve had in my career”, Arteta said after the match.
“I think today the supporters raised the standard and told us the way we had to play this game.
“The way they received the team outside the stadium was unique – I’ve never seen it before. And the energy that was created today in this stadium was something else; something different, something that elevates everybody’s conviction, energy, passion, and I’m so proud.”
Saka reacted quickest to a rebound in the box to fire home past Jan Oblak, after the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper had saved a shot from Leandro Trossard few minutes before halftime.
It proved to be the only goal of the match as Mikel Arteta’s side have now kept their hopes of completing a league and European double alive.
“It’s been so many years, it’s only the second time in our history that we’ve achieved the final. There are days that I don’t know what I’m doing with this job because it’s just mad!”, Arteta added.
“But when I was looking at the stands today, my players and the staff and see their joy and happiness and that light in them, everything we do makes sense.”
Arsenal will now face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Champions League in Budapest on May 30.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
