Mikel Arteta said Arsenal “made history again together” after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 to reach the Champions League final for only the second time in the club’s history.
Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal just before half-time at the Emirates Stadium, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory and sending Arsenal into their first Champions League final since 2006.
It was a night of tension, control and resilience from Arteta’s side. Atletico pushed for a route back into the tie after the break, but Arsenal defended the lead with discipline and saw out the closing stages to secure one of the biggest results of the Emirates era.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arteta struggled to hide his pride at what his players, staff and supporters had achieved.
“Incredible,” Arteta said. “Made history again together and I cannot be happier, prouder for everybody involved in this football club.”
Arsenal have spent much of the season chasing major honours on two fronts, but this result confirmed their place back on the biggest stage in European club football. After years away from the Champions League, Arteta has now guided them from qualification, to the semi-finals, and now to the final.
The Arsenal manager also pointed to the atmosphere around the stadium, which began building before kick-off and carried through a tense second half.
“The manner that we received outside the stadium already was special and unique,” he said. “The atmosphere supporters created, the energy, the way everybody was with us, it made it special and unique.”
For Arteta, the connection between the team and the crowd was central to the night. Arsenal had spoken before the game about needing the Emirates to play its part, and the manager felt the supporters helped create an occasion worthy of the stakes.
“I never felt that in the stadium,” he added. “We knew how much it meant to everybody.”
Arsenal still had to earn it on the pitch. Saka’s goal gave them the advantage, but Atletico had moments after the break and forced Arteta’s side to manage the game in a different way. The performance was not just about attacking quality. It was also about concentration, defensive recovery and emotional control.
Arteta felt his players gave everything required to get over the line.
“We put everything,” he said. “The boys did an incredible job and after 20 years and for the second time in our history we are back in the Champions League final.”
The final whistle brought release after a demanding tie against Diego Simeone’s side. Arsenal had already shown in Madrid that they could handle Atletico’s intensity. At the Emirates, they found the decisive moment and then protected it.
For Arteta, the achievement is another marker in Arsenal’s development under him. The next step is the biggest of all, but Arsenal have already changed the shape of their season.
After 20 years, they are back in the Champions League final.