Bukayo Saka scored just before half-time to send Arsenal into the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in 20 years, as Mikel Arteta’s side beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at a roaring Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, sealing a 2-1 aggregate victory in their semifinal.
The goal came on 44 minutes when a fine through ball by William Saliba allowed Viktor Gyokeres to get in behind the Atletico defence. The Swedish striker kept the ball from goalkeeper Jan Oblak before crossing for Leandro Trossard at the back post. Trossard took his time to find space for a shot, but his low effort was saved by Oblak, and Saka reacted quickest, sneaking in front of two Atletico defenders to prod the rebound into the net and spark wild celebrations that carried through into the break.
The goal came after a tense opening half in which Arsenal dominated possession and territory without finding the breakthrough they deserved. A superb tackle from Declan Rice had earlier snuffed out a chance for Giuliano Simeone, while Gabriel fired a speculative effort wide from 25 yards and Myles Lewis-Skelly saw a low centre roll across the face of goal without finding a finisher. Antoine Griezmann was also fortunate not to concede a penalty when he bundled into Trossard inside the box. 
The second half was a defensive masterclass from Arsenal. Diego Simeone’s side had scored in all 15 of their Champions League matches this season and came out after the break with urgency. Five minutes into the second half, a long ball caused William Saliba to inadvertently head the ball into the path of Simeone, who rounded David Raya and looked set to level, but Gabriel came to the rescue with a last-ditch sliding challenge to nudge the ball out for a corner.
Raya then made a good stop to deny Antoine Griezmann, while substitute Martin Odegaard fired just over at the other end. With 25 minutes remaining, a golden chance went begging when a fine cross by Piero Hincapie fell perfectly for Gyokeres, who seemed set to score but steered his cushioned finish fractionally over the crossbar. Alexander Sorloth also miskicked when a big chance came his way, with Gabriel mopping up the danger.
After five minutes of stoppage time in which Arsenal battled and scrapped for every ball, the final whistle brought scenes of joy never before seen at the Emirates Stadium, with players celebrating wildly with supporters in all four corners of the ground.
Arsenal have now kept a clean sheet at home in all three knockout rounds this season and conceded a competition-low four goals across all eight of their league phase matches.
The Gunners will face either defending champions Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30. PSG won the first leg of their semifinal 5-4, with the second leg in Munich on Wednesday. It will be only Arsenal’s second Champions League final appearance, having lost the 2006 decider to Barcelona in Paris.
Saka’s strike completed a remarkable 24 hours for the club, and sets up what could be the greatest season in Arsenal’s 140-year history. The Premier League leaders are also chasing their first top-flight title since 2004, with the race back in their hands after Manchester City were held to a 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday night.
Only West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace now stand between Arsenal and a first league championship in 22 years. The Gunners travel to West Ham on Sunday before hosting Burnley at the Emirates on Monday, May 18, and wrapping up their league campaign with a trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday, May 24.
