Arsenal have reached their first Champions League final in 20 years after a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid, with Bukayo Saka scoring the winner and Declan Rice earning a 9/10 in the player ratings
22:13, 05 May 2026
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal
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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have secured their first Champions League final appearance in 20 years (Image: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have secured their first Champions League final appearance in 20 years following a tense 1-0 triumph at home to Atletico Madrid.
On a sodden evening in North London, it wasn't the most attractive of second legs, but it didn't matter, as Arsenal will compete in a Champions League final for the first time since 2006.
Just like in the first leg, the breakthrough arrived on the stroke of half-time, with Viktor Gyokeres once more proving pivotal. His movement tore apart a stubborn Atletico defence, with the Swede finding Leandro Trossard at the far post, whose original strike was blocked, but rebounded perfectly for Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (centre) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match at the Emirates Stadium, London.
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The Gunners are one game away from glory(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
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Six yards from goal, with the net gaping, Arsenal's golden boy couldn't miss.
The Spanish side, with little alternative, raised their intensity after the break, and nearly grabbed a leveller when William Saliba's error let Giuliano Simeone through on goal, but the manager Diego's son couldn't apply the finishing touch.
While the faces of those packed inside the Emirates Stadium suggested otherwise, it proved a fairly straightforward second period.
David Raya, 7 - Hardly expected such a quiet evening, reports the Express.
Ben White, 7 - Wasn't in Arsenal's strongest team a couple of months ago, but he might've made a case to start the final.
William Saliba, 8 - Was the man of the moment in the first half, but did look shaky on one or two occasions in the second. As ever though, his partner in crime was there to mop up when needed.
Gabriel, 8 - The second part of Arsenal's imperious centre-back duo. Used all his strength to stop Simeone putting it into an empty net towards the start of the second half. Managed the closing moments of the game perfectly.
Riccardo Calafiori, 4 - You fortunate, fortunate lad. Went charging into a challenge on Antoine Griezmann, with what appeared to be a foul inside the penalty box. The official dismissed it, but only because an earlier infringement was spotted in the build-up. Was substituted just moments afterwards in what seemed like an acknowledgement of wrongdoing from Arteta.
Declan Rice, 9 - May not wear the captain's armband, but he possesses the qualities of one of Arsenal's greatest captains. Whenever the match began to slip from the hosts' grasp, it was the midfield enforcer who regained command.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, 7 - Arteta took a gamble by deploying the teenager in midfield following an impressive substitute appearance against Fulham, and for the 70 or so minutes he remained on the field, it paid dividends. Changed the tempo and provided some desperately needed energy in the centre of the pitch.
Eberechi Eze, 6 - Has been at the heart of the mini-Arsenal resurgence in recent weeks, but endured a quieter afternoon. Struggled to stamp his authority on proceedings and was effectively neutralised throughout.
Bukayo Saka, 8 - Right place, right time? Perhaps, but the finest players create their own fortune, and the England international responded quickest to the deflected shot within the penalty area. Faces some crucial fixtures in the coming weeks, making it a shrewd move by Arteta to withdraw him after 58 minutes.
Viktor Gyokeres, 8 - Has had to bear a fair share of criticism at times this season, but demonstrated why the Gunners shelled out nearly £65million for his services. Squandered an opportunity that could have sealed the match on the hour mark, but maintained his relentless effort throughout the game.
Leandro Trossard, 7 - His quick thinking inside the box forced Jan Oblak into a save that led to the decisive goal. He didn't necessarily shine, but his work rate never waned.
Substitutes:
Piero Hincapie, 7
Martin Odegaard, 7
Noni Madueke, 7
Martin Zubimendi, 7
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Gabriel Martinelli, 6