It has been a long road to build an Arsenal team with all the attributes required to reach European football’s greatest stage and 20 years since the last time, Mikel Arteta’s players finally came of age at the point of the Champions League where reputations are made.
Just the slenderest of margins to beat one of the most bloody-minded of opponents in a Champions League semi-final – and Arsenal were back to the last peak of the Arsène Wenger years. The team of 2006 that marched to Paris that year belong in a different Arsenal epoch – predating those long years of Wenger decline, the new Emirates Stadium, the Kroenke ownership as well as financial fair play and financial foul play elsewhere in the English game. For Arsenal fans of a certain vintage, the club are now finally back where they left off.
This was a great night for Arteta who had the edge on Diego Simeone in a game in which Atlético Madrid never quite asserted the control they crave. Bukayo Saka’s goal just before half-time was a messy penalty box affair after Arsenal had turned the screw. After that, Arsenal, who have not lost a single game in the competition all season, could not afford a single mistake.
Wenger reached the Champions League final with the greatest Premier League striker of them all wearing No 14. Arteta has done it with Viktor Gyokeres in the same shirt, a forward of considerable limitations who nevertheless worked hard to create the conditions for better players to thrive. For all the praise that came Gyokeres’s way on this evening, he remains a man who can only do certain things. The other three semi-finalists all have at least one striker more capable – and when it comes to Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain, there is more than one.
The winners of Wednesday’s semi-final in Munich will be the favourites but Arsenal have their chance. These were some scenes at full time among a crowd who now have the Premier League title within their grasp and a final in Budapest on May 30. The doubts that have plagued them in the tense closing weeks of the season feel like they may be lifting. All the pressure in the Premier League is now on Manchester City. The celebrations at the end accompanied by fireworks were not those of a team wracked by self-doubt.
Fireworks were set off on the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium – Alex Pantling/Getty Images
It is not often one sees Arteta let sheer joy take over but the Arsenal manager gave himself that for a few minutes at full time. His outstanding player had been Declan Rice, somehow finding in himself after another epic season the energy and the focus to chase and tackle, nudge and intercept as well as a couple of mighty gallops from midfield. The Englishman has developed a consistency that has elevated him above the good players of the European game into a category where he belongs with the great.
It was Rice’s crucial intervention in the 17th minute that disrupted the chance that fell to Simeone’s son Giuliano and it was Rice still going strong in the game’s tense last minutes. Alongside him at the start in midfield was Myles Lewis-Skelly, a man who has been elevated from third-choice left-back to the starting midfield pivot in less than a week. Arteta said that it had been “gut instinct” in the end to keep his academy graduate in the side after an impressive performance in midfield in Saturday’s win over Fulham.
It means that Lewis-Skelly, ignored for most of the season, is now a contender to start ahead of Martín Zubimendi in the crucial last games of the season. There will also have to be a decision as to whether captain Martin Odegaard, so often injured this season, starts ahead of Eberechi Eze – who was picked ahead of the Norwegian for this game. While that may have had its root in fitness issues, it seems that the convulsions of the last few weeks are changing the side as it races towards its destiny.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is now a contender to start in the crucial final games of the season – Adrian Dennis/Getty Images
There has never been a night quite like it in the 20 years of the Emirates Stadium, that was opened a few months after Arsenal were beaten in the 2006 Champions League final by the first great Barcelona team of the 2000s. For years it has been a crucible of frustration as Wenger’s last good side in the 2010s was picked off by wealthier rivals, and the cost of the Emirates cast a long shadow. Arteta has long demanded that the supporters make it a different kind of place and finally events have taken their course.
It did not help Simeone that before the end he was forced to substitute his two best attackers, Julián Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, the latter playing his last Champions League game before he leaves for Major League Soccer. He had some good moments but Alvarez, one of the best strikers in Europe, did not look like he was fit enough. Riccardo Calafiori caught Griezmann on the foot in the area in the second half, but the German referee Daniel Siebert had spotted a foul moments earlier on Gabriel Magalhães. The Brazilian just about managed to avoid another penalty with an earlier challenge on Giuliano Simeone.
A stressful moment for the German referee of which there were many. Diego Simeone would later shove the Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, formerly of Atlético, when the latter tried to tell the referee that time was up. By the end the technical areas were basically ungovernable.
Arsenal had won it, through Saka’s goal scored in their best period. Gyokeres ran onto a ball from William Saliba onto the right channel. He was never going to take it and run at goal himself. Later in the game, Gyokeres would miss a good chance from substitute Piero Hincapié’s cross. This time Gyokeres crossed, a deflection taking the ball to Leandro Trossard.
Bukayo Saka poked in from close range to put Arsenal ahead – Dylan Martinez/Reuters
From his shot another deflection off young Simeone was critical. Jan Oblak, fine goalkeeper that he is, saw it late. Which would not have been a problem but the Simeone touch had changed the ball’s course slightly and so Oblak’s save was messy – pushed right into Saka’s path for the game’s only goal.
10:30pm
Post-match thoughts of Mikel Arteta
“It is an amazing night. To have this with our fans is an incredible feeling. It was unbelievable right from the beginning, the energy and passion the fans showed. To see the pride in our fans’ eyes is a beautiful thing. It had to be someone very special to win it and Bukayo [Saka] is someone very special. You have to be at it because you never know what the next moment will bring. He [Viktor Gyokeres] was immense, his work-rate was phenomenal. It was a team effort in defence and everyone deserves credit for that.”
10:23pm
Declan Rice talking to Amazon Prime
“It is chaos [inside the dressing room]! You cannot underestimate what we have done in this competition so far and we have every right to celebrate. It is a proud moment for the club. We knew coming into the game what is at stake. If you cannot get up for an occasion like this, what will motivate you. When we went 1-0 up I knew we were going to win. The crowd really spurned us in. Where this club has come from in the last few years and the narrow losses, we have kept pushing each other and now find ourselves in a great position with a month to go. I am a strong believer in knowing what this group is capable of. I think we have turned a corner again in the last three matches and a new way of playing again. These last three games have been really good and we are all ready to go and focused.”
10:18pm
Simeone still passionate even in defeat
End of the road for Diego Simeone’s side – Dylan Martinez/Reuters
10:15pm
Still unbeaten in the Champions League this season
10:13pm
Bukayo Saka speaking to Amazon Prime
10:11pm
Stat
10:09pm
Former Arsenal man Theo Walcott on Amazon Prime
“Incredible scenes here. I have never seen the Emirates quite like it, that connection with the fans we talk about. Some people here were not even born when they last got to the final and it is one of those now ‘can they go that one step further?’ Maybe they are the team that can do it this year.”
Arsenal are four wins away from winning both the Premier League and Champions League – John Walton/PA
10:07pm
Saying goodbye to the Champions League
Antoine Griezmann has played his final game in this competition. He moves to Orlando City at the end of the season and will surely end his career without a Champions League winners’ medal.
Antoine Griezmann claps the fans after losing to Arsenal – Dylan Martinez/Reuters
10:05pm Reaction
On to Budapest
Remarkable scenes on the Emirates pitch at the full-time whistle. Saka, Madueke and Gabriel instantly falling to their knees in prayer. Odegaard pounding the turf in joy. Saliba and Gabriel then wrestling each other in delirious delight. Arteta can’t stop running around. They are even playing a viral TikTok song that includes all the names of the players.
Arsenal will look to win their first Champions League title later this month in Budapest – John Walton/PA
10:03pm
Kicking off after the final whistle
Tempers boiled over in the latter stages of the match – John Walton/PA
10:01pm
Arsenal’s remaining four games
May 10: West Ham vs Arsenal (Premier League)
May 18: Arsenal vs Burnley (Premier League)
May 24: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal (Premier League)
May 30: Arsenal vs Bayern Munich or PSG (Champions League)
Arsenal know three wins from three will guarantee them the Premier League and are also one match away from Champions League glory for the first time. If Mikel Arteta’s side win their next four games, they will be Premier League and Champions League winners.
09:58pm
FT stats
Possession: Arsenal 54%-46% Atlético Madrid
Shots: 13-9
Shots on target: 2-2
Corners: 5-2
Touches in opposition box: 20-20
09:53pm
Full time
It has been kicking off in the dugouts for some time but that is it. The final whistle is blown and Arsenal book their trip to Budapest. They have beaten Atlético 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate to make the Champions League final, where they will play either Bayern Munich or PSG. Arsenal make their first Champions League final in 20 years.
09:52pm
90+4 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
The seconds are ticking by and Atlético do not look like equalising. Just one minute of added time remains.
The Emirates tonight has been everything Mikel Arteta has wanted from this crowd for years. He’s spent his entire tenure trying to weaponise the fanbase and this was the high point of that mission. The bus greeting, the tifo, the noise, the energy.
09:51pm
90+2 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Atlético seem to have run out of steam and the reality of their situation is sinking in for their fans. Their team is about to be knocked out as Diego Simeone is booked for protesting at how long Raya was taking over a goal kick. Yet Mikel Arteta has not been booked for spending most of the game out of his technical area and basically on the pitch. Finally now Arteta is booked.
09:48pm
90 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
The Arsenal supporters can see the finish line as five added minutes are put up on the board.
09:47pm
89 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
How many minutes of added time will there be? My guess would be five. The Arsenal fans probably could not take more than that. The Atlético fans will be praying for one more chance.
09:45pm Analysis
87 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Arteta is demanding more from the fans behind the dugout, swinging his arms up and down in manic encouragement. These are crucial moments now. I’m not sure Atletico have enough craft to break down this Arsenal defence…
09:44pm
86 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
That is so poor from Sorloth. Baena is played into the left channel and squares it for Sorloth. The striker has a glorious chance from the centre of the box but completely messes up his effort. Was that the Crystal Palace version of Sorloth coming back?
09:43pm
85 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Rice tries to pick out Gabriel at the far post with a corner from the left but the Brazilian cannot guide his header on target.
09:41pm
83 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
The final substitution of the night sees Martinelli replace Trossard.
09:40pm Analysis
82 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Sorloth is taking a far more agricultural approach than Alvarez or Griezmann. The big Norwegian is a brute of a centre-forward and he wants the ball in the air. Premier League watchers will remember him from his terrible spell at Crystal Palace, where he scored zero goals in 16 appearances. His record with Atletico is much better, to be fair.
09:40pm
81 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Pubill is booked for bringing Gyokeres down after the latter had spun away from the former. There will be a check by VAR to see if it should be upgraded to red as to whether Pubill was the last man but it stays as a yellow.
09:38pm
80 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Into the final 10 minutes of normal time we go at the Emirates, with Arsenal closing in on a spot in the Champions League final but there will be plenty of nerves inside the stadium for the rest of this match.
09:35pm
76 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Not that Arsenal fans will care right now but it is safe to say this tie does not even compare to the other one, with the second leg between PSG and Bayern Munich tomorrow night. It is 5-4 to PSG with the second leg in Munich.
09:32pm
74 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Baena wins a corner off White right in front of the travelling Atlético fans. The delivery to the near post is headed away by Gyokeres.
09:31pm
73 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Lewis-Skelly has gone down and is replaced by Zubimendi. It does not appear that he is injured, it looks more like cramp.
09:27pm Analysis
69 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Forcing Atlético to bring off both Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, Atlético’s most lethal attacking threats, has to count as a moral victory for Arsenal. Not that the increasingly anxious home fans much care, as they continue to lament Viktor Gyokeres’ glaring miss after Piero Hincapie laid the ball on a platter.
09:26pm Analysis
66 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Diego Simeone makes his final two changes as Griezmann and Alvarez are replaced by Almada and Baena. Will this be Griezmann’s final Champions League appearance or can his teammates secure him one final game in this competition in the final? Alvarez was quiet tonight and you do wonder how fit he actually was.
Griezmann and Alvarez both removed. Alvarez has been carrying an injury so that might explain it… if it’s not related to fitness issues, that is a very strange change indeed.
09:24pm Analysis • Video
65 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
That is a big, big chance for Gyokeres to double Arsenal’s lead. Hincapie plays a delightful cross from the left right into the path of Gyokeres on the penalty spot. It is a glorious chance but Gyokeres cannot keep his effort down and it goes over the bar. Will Gyokeres and Arsenal come to rue that opportunity?
This has not been a bad night for Gyokeres – but those really hard-to-take chances are just beyond his skill level. A great striker would have buried that Hincapie cross. He may yet prove us wrong, but there is a trend emerging.
09:21pm
63 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Atlético have posed more of a threat since the break and are probably the more likely side right now to score.
09:16pm Analysis
58 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Changes for both sides. For Arsenal, they bring on Hincapie, Odegaard and Madueke for Calafiori, Eze and Saka.
Atlético bring on Molina, Cardoso and Sorloth.
Diego Simeone replaces his own son in the 56th minute, having hooked him at half-time in the first leg. Chastening, to say the least, for poor Giuliano.
09:15pm Analysis
55 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Griezmann, who has not been as effective as he was last week, has a shot from the edge of the box saved by Raya. Arsenal are then a touch lucky in the aftermath. Griezmann is brought down by Calafiori in what would have been a penalty but there is a foul given on Gabriel just before.
The game is opening up and becoming more end-to-end, and I don’t think that suits Arsenal. They are better when controlling space than when they are running around in transition. I predict Arteta makes a change soon, because it can’t carry on like this. Zubimendi or Odegaard might help them get a grip.
09:10pm Key moments
51 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
Simeone has a glorious chance to bring the visitors level and is also appealing for a penalty. Saliba’s header back is dreadful and Simeone is suddenly one-on-one. He takes it around Raya and seemingly has an open net in front of him. He is being pulled back by Gabriel, which puts him off balance and then shoots wide. VAR does check but clears the incident. Gabriel can probably count himself a touch fortunate with that decision as that could have been a penalty and subsequently a red card.
Should this have been a penalty and potentially a red card? – Dylan Martinez/Reuters
09:08pm
49 mins: Arsenal 1 Atlético Madrid 0 (2-1)
White has acres of space out on the right to pick out a cross. It comes to the back post but both Gabriel and Le Normand go to ground. They both had hands on each other so no penalty.
09:03pm
Second half
We are back under way at the Emirates. Arsenal are just 45 minutes away from the Champions League final in Budapest later this month. Atlético were back out a fair bit earlier than Arsenal were.
08:59pm
Relief
Difficult to overstate the degree of relief inside the Emirates at Bukayo Saka’s immaculately-timed goal. Arsenal looked in danger of being drawn into Atletico’s suffocating trap, of being sucker-punched by a quick Griezmann-led counter-attack despite all their first-half superiority. But the sight of fans embracing everywhere and the sound of “1-0 to the Arsenal” chants tell their own story – one of belief that this team, anchored by the insuperable William Saliba in defence, are bound for Budapest.
Could this be the goal that sends Arsenal to Budapest? – John Walton/PA
08:54pm Analysis
Noise level turned up
I have experienced some extraordinarily loud goal celebrations at the Emirates Stadium over the past decade or so. Lucas Torreira against Spurs in 2018, Reiss Nelson’s winner against Bournemouth in 2023, Gabriel Jesus scoring against United later that year, Max Dowman’s goal against Everton a few weeks ago. I would put the celebration of Saka’s opener here right alongside those for volume and emotion.
Arsenal now lead 2-1 on aggregate – John Walton/PA
08:49pm
HT stats
Possession: Arsenal 68%-32% Atlético Madrid
Shots: 7-2
Shots on target: 2-0
Corners: 3-0
Touches in opposition box: 10-6
08:47pm
Half-time
After just the one added minute, the first half is brought to an end and Arsenal lead 1-0 on the night, 2-1 on aggregate.
08:45pm Key moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Saka puts Arsenal in front
A big moment on the stroke of half-time but will it ultimately count? Trossard’s shot from the left side of the box is saved by Oblak down to his left and Saka puts the rebound into the back of the net. Was Saka onside when Trossard took on his shot? Yes he was and the goal will stand. A good reaction from Saka but Oblak will be disappointed that he could not parry it away from Saka.
A massive moment in the tie – John Walton/PA
08:44pm
43 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
As we approach the break, Arsenal have had the better of this first half but perhaps it will be Diego Simeone slightly the happier manager at half-time. Arsenal have not created much in terms of guilt-edge chances and the longer the tie stays level at 1-1 the more nervous the home fans will become.
08:38pm Analysis
38 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
This does feel like a game between two inherently conservative teams who are forcing themselves to take more risks. Mainly Arsenal who are at home and using that impetus, but Atleti are also trying to play the ball forward when they can – especially down Arsenal’s left side.
08:36pm Opinion
36 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Trossard throws himself to the ground inside the Atlético box after a challenge from Griezmann but that is not a foul. There is a slight nudge but never a foul. Rice then has a shot from the edge of the box blocked and again there are appeals for a penalty, this time for handball, but it comes off Hancko’s chest.
s
Arsenal take the corner short out on the right and Saka finds Rice on the edge of the box but the latter’s shot is blocked by Llorente.
German referee Daniel Siebert is certainly not the most popular man in the building after waving Arsenal’s frantic penalty appeals aside. Antoine Griezmann did appear to take out Leandro Trossard, in a challenge that was clumsy at best.
Penalty or no penalty? – Dylan Martinez/Reuters
08:34pm
33 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Calafiori is starting at left-back for Arsenal this evening but he is taking up quite a high position. Plenty of times when Arsenal are in possession it is Trossard providing the width on the left touchline and Calafiori is tucked quite far inside.
08:31pm Analysis
31 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
I would love to see some heart-rate data for Arteta and Simeone. Even by their standards, the amount of nervous energy in the two technical areas is extraordinary. Poor Tobias Stieler, tonight’s fourth official, has been getting it in the ear from both managers on every single refereeing decision.
08:31pm
29 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Arsenal have done a decent job thus far of keeping both Alvarez and Griezmann quiet. The former was a doubt coming into this game and you do wonder how fit he actually is. This is their biggest game of the season so even if it was a risk to play him they are always going to take that risk with a player of Alvarez’s quality.
08:26pm Key moments
25 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Rice’s good work down Arsenal’s left earns the home side a corner. The England midfielder uses this opportunity to gee up the crowd. Arsenal play it short and Lewis-Skelly uses his body well on the left side of the Atlético box to move past Alvarez. He fizzes a ball across the six-yard box but none of his teammates are there to meet it for a simple tap-in. Should Lewis-Skelly have done better or should one of his teammates have been in a position to tap the cross in?
Arsenal fans appear to be feeling the tension – Michael Regan/Getty Images
08:22pm
21 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
One of the great managerial style clashes tonight. Arteta: cashmere collar-zip exec-seminar chic. Simeone: Mob funeral.
The two managers are pretty animated in their dugouts to say the least – Adrian Dennis/Getty Images
08:20pm
19 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
After Saka’s cross from the right is cut out, the ball comes outside the box to Gabriel, who is urged to shoot from range by the home fans. The Brazilian obliges but drags his effort wide, with Oblak seemingly having it covered anyway.
08:18pm
17 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Trossard plays a ball down the channel to pick out the run of Gyokeres, who wins a corner off Le Normand.
Rice’s delivery comes all the way beyond the far post, where Saka is in acres of space but he gets the contact on his shot horribly wrong and it goes easily wide.
08:13pm Analysis
13 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Arsenal had conceded by this point in their previous two Champions League semi-finals at the Emirates Stadium (v United in 2009 and v PSG last year). This has been a much better start.
08:13pm
11 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Lewis-Skelly, who has been given the nod over Zubimendi in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, is penalised for bringing down Llorente and that gives Atlético a decent opportunity to clip this free-kick into the Arsenal penalty area. Atlético take it short before Griezmann clips a cross to the far post but it does not find a teammate.
Atlético keep it alive and create a dangerous moment. Griezmann’s cross from the right side of the box is parried by Raya into the path of Simeone, whose effort is crucially blocked by Rice and the last touch behind is off Simeone. That sliding challenge from Rice was vital for the hosts.
08:09pm
7 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Atlético makes their first proper foray forward as Simeone and Griezmann exchange a neat one-two. Simeone crosses from the right side of the box to pick out Alvarez but his effort goes wide. It looked like he was put off by Saliba at the crucial moment.
08:08pm
6 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1)
Rice clips a cross into the Atlético penalty area which is easily caught by Oblak. There are a few appeals for a penalty as Calafiori goes to ground but there did not appear to be too much in that one.
08:02pm
2 mins: Arsenal 0 Atlético Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
Amid all the tifo action with ships and oceans – no seafaring heritage at Arsenal since their Woolwich days on the Thames – there was a smaller banner of Jose Antonio Reyes behind the home goal. He died in 2019 aged 35 having played for both clubs.
08:00pm
Kick-off
We are under way at the Emirates. Who will book their place in the final; Arsenal or Atlético Madrid?
07:57pm
Nearly ready for action
A tifo is unveiled just before the players come out, saying “Over Land and Sea”.
Arsenal fans unveil a huge banner before kick-off – Neil Hall/EPA
Under dark skies in north London, both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at the Emirates.
Arsenal got a lot of stick last year for their tifo, which was a rather uninspiring cannon. They have improved on that a few times this season and this latest edition is certainly much better. Earlier this year, Arteta told Arsenal’s nervous supporters to “jump in this boat, because it’s going to be fun”. This tifo appears to be a reference to those comments.
07:52pm
Reminder of the teams
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera, Hincapie, Odegaard, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Zubimendi, Dowman.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Pubil, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman, Alvarez, Griezmann.
Substitutes: Musso, Gimenez, Mendoza, Cardoso, Sorloth, Alex BAena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Bonar, Julio Diaz.
07:48pm
Travelling support
The Atlético Madrid fans will be hoping for one of those famous Diego Simeone away performances in the Champions League knockout stages, that we saw on a number of occasions especially during the 2010s.
Atlético Madrid fans making their voices heard ahead of kick-off – Dylan Martinez/Reuters
07:41pm
Recent form of both sides
Arsenal:
Arsenal 3 Fulham 0 (Premier League)
Atlético Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Champions League)
Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 (Premier League)
Manchester City 2 Arsenal 1 (Premier League)
Arsenal 0 Sporting 0 (Champions League)
Atlético Madrid:
Valencia 0 Atlético Madrid 2 (La Liga)
Atlético Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Champions League)
Atlético Madrid 3 Athletic Bilbao 2 (La Liga)
Elche 3 Atlético Madrid 2 (La Liga)
Atlético Madrid 2 Real Sociedad 2 (Copa del Rey final, Real Sociedad won on penalties)
07:37pm
One last shot
Antoine Griezmann has never won the Champions League and, with a move to Orlando City coming up in the next few months, this will be the Frenchman’s final chance to lift ‘Big Ears’.
Antoine Griezmann starts for the visitors tonight – Dylan Martinez/Reuters
07:31pm
Pre-match thoughts of Mikel Arteta
07:25pm
Arsenal stand 180 minutes away from the ‘holy grail’
Despite having competed in the European Cup and the rebranded Champions League on 24 occasions, Arsenal have yet to get their collective hands on to old “Big Ears”.
By contrast, Premier League rivals Liverpool have six European Cups having appeared in the tournament 28 times (one trophy every 4.6 campaigns). Manchester United have three European Cups in their trophy cabinet having featured in the competition 31 times (one every 10.33 campaign); Chelsea have a slightly better return with a Champions League title (two) every 10 campaigns across 20 participations. Just one other English club – Manchester City – have played in the tournament more than 10 times and they have one European Cup.
Who will make the Champions League final in Budapest? – Michael Regan/Getty Images
07:16pm
Just over 40 minutes until kick-off
Arsenal have played two Champions League semi-finals at the Emirates Stadium. On both occasions, they conceded inside the opening 10 minutes. In 2009, Manchester United’s Park Ji-sung scored after eight minutes. And last year, Paris St-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele scored after only four.
The home crowd had been whipped into a frenzy ahead of that PSG game a year ago, with Arteta even delivering a remarkable piece-to-camera before kick-off, but Dembele’s early goal ripped all of the excitement out of the ground. Atletico would love to do something similar tonight.
Arsenal look to make just their second Champions League final tonight – John Walton/PA
07:12pm
The drama from last week
The tie is finely poised at 1-1 after a chaotic first leg in Madrid last week. A game of penalties given and not given:
07:05pm
Teams in full
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera, Hincapie, Odegaard, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Zubimendi, Dowman.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Pubil, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman, Alvarez, Griezmann.
Substitutes: Musso, Gimenez, Mendoza, Cardoso, Sorloth, Alex BAena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Bonar, Julio Diaz.
07:00pm Analysis
Extra spring in their step?
What impact will Manchester City’s draw with Everton have on proceedings here tonight? It’s a different competition but it will undoubtedly boost the sense of excitement in the stands and in the Arsenal dressing room.
The Premier League is now back within Arsenal’s hands and that removes some of the pressure from tonight’s game, to an extent. A Champions League semi-final can never be described as a “free hit”, especially as Arsenal have never won the competition, but the changing dynamic of the title race means this is not an all-or-nothing evening for Arsenal. In my opinion, that will help the team and further improve the atmosphere at the Emirates.
The tie is finely poised at 1-1 coming into tonight – John Walton/PA
06:55pm Key moments
Atlético Madrid team
06:51pm Analysis
Big call in midfield
Myles Lewis-Skelly had never started in midfield in a senior match before Saturday. Now he’s doing so in a Champions League semi-final. That’s a measure of the quality of his performance against Fulham.
A reminder that this fearless teenager excelled away to Real Madrid last season. If he can dominate Real in the Bernabeu, he can dominate Atletico at the Emirates.
Still, it’s a huge call by Arteta to bench Zubimendi.
06:47pm Key moments
Arsenal team
06:43pm
Arsenal supporters showing up for their team
Fans of all ages gather outside the Emirates – Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
They will be dreaming of reaching their first Champions League final since 2006 – Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
06:36pm
Arteta: ‘We want to go to the final’
“I can’t wait. I mean, I feel the energy in and amongst the team, our supporters, so these are the moments that we want to live together. We had a lot of work as a club, as a team, after 20 years to be in this position again, and we are so hungry to get a game that we want tomorrow and go through to the final.
“Go and grab it. When you are in front of such an opportunity, it means that you are ready to deliver, and the team is going to go from the first minute to go and get that.”
Arteta (left) during Arsenal’s training session on Monday – David Price/Getty Images
06:23pm
Could tonight be Griezmann’s final Champions League match?
Tonight could be the last ever match in European competition for one of the truly great players of the 21st century: Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman, now 35, is leaving for Orlando City at the end of this season.
Griezmann is Atletico’s all-time leading goalscorer and has huge experience at the highest levels of the game. This is a man who has played in the finals of the World Cup (twice), European Championship and Champions League, so he knows how to manage the emotions of these occasions.
Griezmann is obviously not as quick or fit as he once was, but he has shown in the Champions League this season that he is more than capable of influencing matches at this level. His assist for Julian Alvarez against Tottenham Hotspur, in the round of 16, was the ultimate demonstration of his supreme technical ability:
06:19pm
Arsenal’s team bus receives a warmer welcome
06:16pm
Atlético Madrid’s last five results
Valencia 0 Atlético Madrid 2 (La Liga)
Atlético Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Champions League)
Atlético Madrid 3 Athletic Bilbao 2 (La Liga)
Elche 3 Atlético Madrid 2 (La Liga)
Atlético Madrid 2 Real Sociedad 2 (Copa del Rey final, Real Sociedad won on penalties)
06:14pm
The Atletico bus arrives at the Emirates
06:13pm
Arsenal’s last five results
Arsenal 3 Fulham 0 (Premier League)
Atlético Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Champions League)
Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 (Premier League)
Manchester City 2 Arsenal 1 (Premier League)
Arsenal 0 Sporting 0 (Champions League)
06:10pm
Gunnersaurus gets the Arsenal supporters going
06:05pm
The fireworks haven’t put off Atleti’s fans though…
Atletico Madrid supporters gather ahead of the semi-final clash in London – Tolga Akmen/Shutterstock
Tolga Akmen/Shutterstock
06:00pm
Watch: Arsenal fans target Atletico’s hotel with fireworks at 1.30am
Arsenal fans set off fireworks outside Atlético Madrid’s Shoreditch hotel in the early hours of Tuesday morning in an attempt to disrupt the Spanish side’s preparations for their Champions League semi-final.
According to Spanish media, Atlético have swiftly made their displeasure known to governing body Uefa.
05:51pm
Sexy or sensible? Arteta’s choice of left-back will tell us about Arsenal’s intent
Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie have played almost the same number of games this season – Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Mikel Arteta described Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid as one of the biggest games in Arsenal’s modern history, and he now faces one of his biggest decisions of the campaign.
In selecting his left-back, Arteta must pick between two players of contrasting styles. Will he choose caution or adventure? Defensive solidity or offensive ambition? Does he want to control the game or attack the occasion?
It is unusual for two left-backs to be so emblematic of such different approaches, but that is the reality facing the Arsenal manager, who must decide whether to trust the free-spirited instincts of Riccardo Calafiori or to lean into the defensive security provided by Piero Hincapié.
The bold choice is unquestionably Calafiori, the strapping Italian who plays with more freedom and invention than perhaps any other player in Arsenal’s squad. This is a left-back who takes up positions all over the pitch, from the right wing to the opposition’s penalty area, and adds a touch of chaos to a team who can, at times, appear constrained by positional discipline.
But such an unpredictable player also brings an element of risk against a team of Atlético’s quality. If Arteta is more worried about stopping the Spanish side than obliterating them, then Hincapié is probably the safer pick. The Ecuadorian is more of an old-school option: he tackles hard, overlaps down the touchline and is always alert to danger.
05:48pm
Tie finely poised heading into second leg
A place in the Champions League final is at stake at the Emirates as Arsenal host Atlético Madrid in the second leg of the semi-finals, with the tie finely poised. The first leg was decided by two penalties given and one not given. Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal the lead over in the Metropolitano from the spot before Julian Alvarez equalised from the spot. Arsenal then thought they had been given a second penalty of the match to retake the lead but VAR overturned the on-field decision. These sides have met in this stadium already this season, with Arsenal cruising to a comfortable 4-0 win during the league phase of the competition.
Arsenal have only made one previous Champions League final, which came back in 2006 when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona. Mikel Arteta’s side remain unbeaten in all 13 of their Champions League matches this season, winning 10 of those.
“We will take to the pitch as beasts tomorrow [tonight] and enjoy the moment and go for it,” Arteta said. “I cannot wait. I feel the energy among the team and our supporters. This is the moment that we want to live together. We have worked hard as a club and as a team after 20 years to be in this position again. And we are so hungry to get through to that final.
“It is a feeling of huge excitement. It is difficult to express the desire to live that moment, especially with our people in front of us. They have been waiting for so long to have this kind of night. So let’s push hard tomorrow [tonight], because something amazing is going to happen.”
Mikel Arteta speaks to the media before the visit of Atletico Madrid – Glyn Kirk/Getty Images
They are fighting to win the two biggest trophies; as well as looking to book their place in the Champions League final this evening, they are also aiming to end their long wait for a Premier League title. Following their comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham and Manchester City dropping points at Everton last night, the destiny of the Premier League title is in their hands with just a handful of games remaining. Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are set to be available tonight but Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are out.
Atlético Madrid have made three European Cup finals, losing all three, with two of those coming in the last decade to city rivals Real Madrid. The visitors have named Julian Alvarez, Guiliano Simeone and Alexander Sorloth in their travelling squad having been doubts for the second leg. Alvarez scored Atlético’s equaliser last week and Diego Simeone has highlighted the striker’s experience in the Premier League.
“Julian Alvarez is important in this game because he knows the English league very well,” said Simeone. “He played really well last week, and I hope he can bring what he needs in the game tomorrow [tonight]. As coaches, we have to think about what could happen but it is down to the players. We have to manage our emotions and play as well as possible. The game changes as soon as it kicks off. Over time, you do become patient. It is not about being passive, but calm, and that is what we need in this type of game.”
The winner of this tie will face either Bayern Munich or PSG in the final, with the second leg of that tie taking place tomorrow night.
Team news to follow.
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