The Emirates is electric
Arsenal needed a win or a goalless draw. Atletico had to score and keep a clean sheet. From the first minute, both sides played with enormous intensity. Arteta went with Gyokeres up front, flanked by Saka and Eze — the wide men tasked with stretching Atletico's defence.
The first half was chess. Atletico had just 46% possession and five shots; Arsenal had 13. Oblak was superb for most of the half. Then, just as in the first leg, Viktor Gyokeres proved to be Arsenal's saviour. In the 44th minute he received Saka's pass and drove the ball in at the far post — 1-0, and the dressing room erupted.
Atletico without an answer
Simeone made five changes within the first 15 minutes of the second half in search of a goal. Arsenal matched him with five of their own, defending every inch. Rice was extraordinary — destroying every Atletico positional attack. Oblak came up for corners late on, but Saliba and Magalhaes won every aerial duel.
Dramatic finale and progression
In stoppage time nerves took over — four yellow cards in a matter of minutes, two for each side. The referee had to separate players after the final whistle. But Arsenal held on: 1-0, through to the final 2-1 on aggregate.
On 30 May in Budapest, Arsenal will face PSG in the Champions League final. It will be the Gunners' first final in the competition in its current format. Gyokeres ended the tie with two goals — the undisputed hero of the entire semi-final.