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Arsenal has qualified for the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years after defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Tuesday. A first-half goal from Bukayo Saka at the Emirates Stadium secured a 2-1 aggregate win, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Mikel Arteta’s side will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final, which is scheduled to take place in Budapest on May 30.
Holders PSG, who beat Arsenal in the semifinals last year, have a 5-4 lead ahead of the second leg in Munich on Wednesday.
Arsenal are back in the Champions League final for the first time since losing 2-1 to Barcelona in their only previous appearance in the showpiece in 2006.
Arsenal have never won the Champions League, with their two major European trophies coming in the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup and the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Their last continental final ended in a 4-1 defeat against Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League.
It is shaping up to be Arsenal’s greatest ever season as they chase a Premier League and Champions League double.
Even Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles”, who won the club’s last English title in an unbeaten top-flight campaign in 2004, might have to bow to the current generation if they finish the job.
Now just four games from immortality, Premier League leaders Arsenal were given a huge boost in the title race when second-placed Manchester City drew at Everton on Monday.
The Gunners will be crowned champions if they win their last three games against West Ham United, Burnley and Crystal Palace.
Once the title is decided, Arsenal will head to Hungary with a maiden Champions League crown in their sights.
Thousands of Arsenal supporters massed outside the stadium before kickoff to greet their team with flares and flags, a display of affection underlining Arsenal’s desperation to make history.
