Arsenal have booked a place in the UEFA Champions League final for only the second time in the club’s history after defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
A first-half goal from Bukayo Saka secured a 1-0 win for Arsenal in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, helping the Premier League side progress to the final.
The Gunners will now face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final scheduled to take place at the Puskás Aréna on May 30.
It marks Arsenal’s first Champions League final appearance in 20 years, with their only previous final ending in defeat to FC Barcelona in 2006.
Under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have continued to improve in Europe after returning to the competition following a six-year absence. The club reached the quarter-finals in the 2023/24 season before suffering a semi-final exit to eventual champions PSG last term.
This season, Arsenal have impressed throughout the tournament. They became the first team in Champions League history to win all eight matches in the league phase before overcoming Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting CP in the knockout rounds.
The semi-final success over Atletico Madrid also extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the European Cup and Champions League to 14 matches, setting a new club record.
The North London club will now hope to claim the famous European title for the first time in their 139-year history when they compete in the final later this month.
