Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday to propel Arsenal into the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in two decades. The 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid allowed Mikel Arteta’s side to progress with a 2-1 aggregate win over the Spanish side.
Al Jazeera reported that the strike came late in the first half, providing the breakthrough needed after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Madrid last week. The win marks Arsenal's first appearance in Europe's premier club competition final since their 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in 2006.
Arsenal will now prepare to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final, scheduled for May 30 in Budapest. France24 confirmed that the Gunners are entering only their second appearance in the final of the competition.
Chasing the double
The victory provides a significant boost to Arsenal's domestic ambitions. Al Jazeera noted that the Premier League leaders received a major advantage in the title race following Manchester City's recent draw against Everton.
Arsenal can secure the English top-flight title if they win their remaining three matches against West Ham United, Burnley, and Crystal Palace. The club is currently chasing a historic domestic and European double.
For many supporters, the night served as a release from recent scrutiny. Al Jazeera reported that the squad had recently faced criticism regarding their mental strength after a period of four defeats in six matches across all competitions.
Critics had recently applied labels such as "nearly-men" and "serial choker" to the squad, according to Al Jazeera. However, the performance at the Emirates, where thousands of fans gathered with flares and flags, suggests the team is on the verge of erasing those reputations.
Saka, described by Al Jazeera as the "homegrown symbol of the Altea era," provided the moment of brilliance required to move the club closer to continental glory. The club's last major European trophy remains the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup, while their most recent continental final was a 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League.
