Arsenal storm into Champions League final after 18-year wait
Arsenal have reached their second Champions League final after a hard-fought 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid. The London club, unbeaten in this season’s competition, now awaits the winner of PSG versus Bayern Munich in the showpiece event. Their last appearance in the final came 18 years ago, in 2006. The semi-final tie began tightly, with Arsenal taking a 1-0 lead at half-time in the first leg. Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock after Jan Oblak saved Leandro Trossard’s initial effort, only for the young winger to fire in the rebound. Over the two legs, Arsenal held firm, conceding just once to secure their place in the final.
Throughout the 2024 campaign, the team has been defensively solid, letting in only six goals across 14 matches. Their dominance was clear in the group stage, where they won all eight games without defeat. This resilience has carried them through the knockout rounds, despite facing tough opposition. Former Champions League winner Wesley Sneijder offered mixed views on the semi-final. He praised manager Mikel Arteta for guiding Arsenal to the final without relying on world-class stars. Yet he also criticised the overall quality of play, even suggesting UEFA might have preferred a PSG versus Bayern Munich final instead. Arsenal’s path to the final has been marked by consistency and tactical discipline. Now, they prepare to face either PSG or Bayern in what promises to be a challenging showdown.
The final will mark Arsenal’s return to Europe’s biggest stage after nearly two decades. Their unbeaten run and defensive record highlight a well-organised side under Arteta. The match will take place in early June, with the opponent decided after the second semi-final.
