Arsenal will face Bayern Munich or PSG in Budapest after reaching a first final in 20 years
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Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal into the Champions League finalopen image in gallery
Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal into the Champions League final (Reuters)
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Mikel Arteta hailed a “unique” atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium as key as he led Arsenal into a first Champions League final in 20 years.
Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal earned the hosts a 1-0 success on the night and 2-1 win on aggregate over Atletico Madrid to set up a date with either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on 30 May.
Arsenal were roared on by a home support in excellent voice from long before kick off, with Arteta and his squad given a rousing reception on arrival for the second leg.
Mikel Arteta hailed the Arsenal fans after the semi-final successopen image in gallery
Mikel Arteta hailed the Arsenal fans after the semi-final success (PA)
And Arteta stressed how important that backing was to his side as they took a significant step towards a potential Premier League and European double.
“It is an incredible night,” Arteta beamed. “We made history again together. I cannot be happier or prouder of everybody involved in this football club.“
The manner that we were received in outside the stadium was special and unique. The atmosphere that our fans created, the energy, they lived every ball with us – I’ve never felt that in a stadium.
“We knew how much it meant to everybody, we put everything in, the boys did an incredible job. After 20 years, and for the second time in our history, we are in a Champions League final.”
Arsenal’s fans created an excellent atmosphere at the Emirates Stadiumopen image in gallery
Arsenal’s fans created an excellent atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium (Reuters)
A predictably hard-fought tie saw Arsenal ride their luck at times, with Gabriel Magalhaes perhaps fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty after Giuliano Simeone had broken in behind and gone around David Raya.
Appeals were waved away, though, and the incident cleared by the video assistant referee (VAR) as Arsenal held firm to progress.
It mean disappointment for Giuliano’s father, Diego Simeone, who remains without a continental success after 15 years at Atletico, while the game also marked the apparent end of Antoine Griezmann’s Champions League career with the Frenchman off to MLS at the end of the season.
Arteta praised Arsenal’s semi-final foes after continuing an unbeaten campaign in the competition.
“We know how difficult and challenging every opponent is at this level,” he said. “Atletico are an incredible team, the way they compete, they have an answer to everything you try to do immediately. Diego has done an outstanding job there and the margins are so small. Tonight, they went for us."