Saka Fires Arsenal to First Champions League Final Since 2006
Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2006 after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike proved decisive, securing a 2-1 aggregate win and sending the Gunners to Budapest for a shot at European glory. The result marks a significant milestone for Mikel Arteta’s side, who have been unbeaten in the competition this season.
It also caps a remarkable defensive campaign that has drawn praise from none other than Arsène Wenger, the man who led Arsenal to that painful 2006 final in Paris.
Speaking after the match, the legendary Frenchman highlighted the team’s growth. “It shows how strong Arsenal is defensively and (their) discipline,” he said. “Now the next step is of course to go to the final and win it!”
The atmosphere at the Emirates was electric from the outset. A striking red-and-white ship tifo and pyrotechnics set the tone as fans sensed history in the making. Arsenal started brightly, but it was Atlético’s resilience under Diego Simeone that kept the tie tight. The first leg in Madrid had ended 1-1, with both sides scoring from the penalty spot.
Saka broke the deadlock just before half-time. After good work from Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard, the England winger pounced on a rebound and finished clinically. The goal sent the stadium into delirium and gave Arsenal a crucial cushion.
Atlético then pushed hard after the break, but Arsenal’s backline stood firm, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães forming a formidable partnership, while Declan Rice screened effectively and David Raya commanded his area.
A late controversial moment involving Antoine Griezmann failed to result in a penalty, allowing the hosts to hold on. The performance reflected the evolution of Arteta’s project with Arsenal having kept nine clean sheets in the competition while conceding just six goals across their 14-match unbeaten run.
This defensive solidity echoes Wenger’s 2005-06 team but carries a more modern, high-pressing identity.
For Arsenal fans, the night carried deep symbolism. Two decades after that heartbreaking loss to Barcelona in the 2006 final, the club is back on European football’s biggest stage.
The final will take place on May 30 at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, where Arsenal will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.
Talk of a potential league and Champions League double has grown louder, though Arteta’s side will know that nothing is guaranteed in such a demanding campaign.
