Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid (Agg: 2-1): Gunners Reach UCL Final

Arsenal completed a tense 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League Semi-Final

A goal from Bukayo Saka was enough to give Arsenal the win in their Champions League Semi-Final against Atletico Madrid.

The tie had been poised at 1-1 going into the game, with both legs being tightly fought with few chances for either side.

The win sent Arsenal to the second Champions League Final in the club’s history, and the first since 2006.

Arsenal hold their nerve

Mikel Arteta’s side went into this semi-final as favourites, having topped the league phase of the Champions League, and remained unbeaten throughout the knockout stage.

A spirited Atletico performance in the first leg proved however that the Premier League leaders would have to be at their best in order to progress.

Arsenal were defensively solid throughout the first half, with Declan Rice blocking a close range shot from Atletico’s Giuliano Simeone in the eleventh minute.

The home side’s back four sat deeper in the second half in order to protect their side’s slim lead.

This was enough to hold off a flurry of attacks from Atletico shortly after half-time, with a long range shot from Robin Le Normand going over the bar, and David Raya saving Antoine Griezmann’s effort shortly after.

Raya continued to command his penalty area late into the game, saving from Marcos Llorente in the last ten minutes.

Atletico’s best chance to level the tie arguably fell to substitute, and former Crystal Palace striker, Alexander Sorloth.

Sorloth found himself unmarked inside the Arsenal penalty area in the 86th minute but couldn’t connect to fellow substitute Alex Baena’s cross.

A scrappy end to the game saw both managers booked in injury time, and the fourth official having to break up a disagreement between members of the opposing coaching teams.

Saka Scores Vital Goal

The defensive prowess of both these teams meant that chances were rare throughout the tie.

Arsenal’s first real opportunity came when Myles Lewis-Skelly flashed a shot across the face of goal which none of his incoming teammates could connect with.

Ten minutes later Arsenal had two penalty appeals turned down in quick succession.

The first was for a perceived push on Leandro Trossard by Griezmann, with the second following Atletico centre-back David Hancko allegedly blocking Rice’s shot with his hand. Both were quickly checked and cleared by VAR.

The breakthrough came when Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak misjudged an Arsenal long ball and had to rush back to his six-yard box to avoid leaving Viktor Gyokeres facing an open goal.

This hesitation allowed Gyokeres to cross the ball for Trossard, who’s shot Oblak saved, but could only push into the path of the onrushing Saka, who calmly tapped the ball into an empty net.

Arsenal’s best chance to extend their advantage came midway through the second half, when Gyokeres turned a cross over the bar from close range.

Centre-back William Saliba sent a header over late on as well, but Arsenal’s defensive performance won them the tie despite their missed chances.

Player of the Match: David Raya

This was far more of a team victory for Arsenal than the result of any individual player’s brilliance.

Raya dealt with all of the shots he faced effectively however and was key to organising the back four which kept the vital clean sheet.

His long balls also offered Arsenal an attacking outlet and took the pressure off their backline when Atletico were chasing the game late on.

What’s next?

Arsenal may have already won the Premier League by the time they play in the Champions League final on May 30th.

The Gunners will claim a first Premier League title since 2004 if they win their three remaining league games, the first of which is away to West Ham on Sunday.

Atletico need three more points to guarantee a return to the Champions League for next season and will hope to take those with a win at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday.