**Arsenal:** Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres
**Subs:** Kepa, Setford, Mosquera, Hincapie, Odegaard, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Zubimendi, Dowman
Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League final after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the semi-final second leg (2-1 on aggregate), thanks to a first half strike from Bukayo Saka.
Mikel Arteta named an unchanged side from the team that beat Fulham last time out, with Myles Lewis-Skelly keeping his place in midfield ahead of Martin Zubimendi.
Bukayo Saka was another welcome name on the teamsheet after his efforts on Saturday, alongside Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard who recovered from knocks to make the bench.
**FIRST HALF**
It was an assured start from Arsenal who took charge of possession right away, and were moving the ball around nicely with Atletico sitting deep in their back five formation almost instantly.
But it was the visitors who had the early sights of goal, with William Saliba doing an excellent job to cover across and deny Alvarez, before Declan Rice made a big block in his own six yard box to prevent a big chance for Simeone after Griezmann got in behind.
The Atletico press was working well, with the Gunners a bit untidy building out from the back but there was a good chance when White played one of his trademark passes (inside the full back) to Saka, but his cross couldn’t find a red shirt and the visitors cleared.
Myles does well, cross into the middle
Just before half time, it was looking increasingly difficult for Arteta’s men to break down a resolute defence with space at a premium, but they did eventually break the deadlock and it came from Bukayo Saka who reacted quickest in a crowded penalty box.
Saliba did well to find Gyokeres who made (another) smart run in behind, with the pass taking a nick off Hancko which left Oblak in no man’s land. The Swede took his time and floated a cross to the back post, finding Trossard who fired an effort at goal which was well saved by Oblak – but Saka beat the offside trap to tap in from close range. [1-0](https://streamff.com/v/0f931ca4).
Arsenal were in a battle – as expected – but they will have been happy with their first half exploits against a dogged Atletico side, who caused them one or two problems early doors. The goal came at the perfect time to give the side (and stadium) a shot in the arm.
**SECOND HALF**
Neither side made a change at half time but it was Atletico again who started quickly and they should have equalised when Saliba got an easy header all wrong, which allowed Simeone through on goal, who rounded David Raya but skewed his finish wide under pressure from Gabriel.
The visitors were definitely ramping things up and they had another few moments that caused Arsenal problems, before they had a big shout for a penalty after Calafiori fouled Griezmann in the box – only for the decision to be taken out of the referee’s hands after Gabriel was judged to have been fouled in the lead up to the foul.
A nervy moment for Calafiori and for Arsenal, who may have gotten away with one there.
That passage of play drew both managers into making triple changes, with Simeone bringing on Molina, Cardoso and Sorloth for Simeone, Le Normand and Lookman. Arteta reacted by introducing Piero Hincapie, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke for Calafiori, Eze and Saka.
Odegaard almost made an instant impact after coming on, shooting over from the edge of the box after good play between White and Madueke.
There was a huge chance for Gyokeres to score a crucial second after excellent work from Hincapie, who was freed down the left by Trossard before putting in an incredible first time cross – but the striker couldn’t quite over his effort and side-footed over from close range.
Seconds after that chance flashed over, Simeone made two more chances – taking Griezmann and Alvarez off – for Baena and Almada which felt like a big gamble considering their talent and effect on the game.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Arteta made another chance with Martin Zubimendi replacing Lewis-Skelly who looked to be suffering with cramp after another excellent midfield performance. Gabriel Martinelli for Trossard was his final change of the game, with the Belgian also playing well in an all-action performance.
Gyokeres was at the centre of another big decision after doing excellently to use his body and back into Pubill, before spinning the defender and being fouled, but the referee opted for a yellow card instead of red despite him looking like the last man.
Atletico had another huge chance to equalise in the dying minutes after Baena did well to advance down the left and cross for Sorloth, but the big Norwegian somehow miskicked from a great position despite the ball being rolled to him perfectly and on his stronger side.
We were fully into nail-biting territory (if there were any more nails left to bite) as five minutes were added on, with Arsenal doing everything they could to eat up time and see the game out.
Tensions started to fray with Simeone and Arteta both booked, both sets of touchlines were getting involved with each other and there was even a moment when Andrea Berta was involved in a scuffle with Simeone for demanding a final whistle.
But after a series of clearances and headers, referee Daniel Siebert finally blew the whistle and Arsenal secured their place in the final against Bayern or Paris Saint-Germain later this month. This was a typically excellent collective performance but Gyokeres was outstanding on the night, alongside White, Lewis-Skelly, Trossard and others.
BUDAPEST WE’RE COMING!!!!!