Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal’s players and fans after an incredible night
Mikel Arteta expressed immense pride in Arsenal’s players and supporters following their victory over Atlético Madrid, which secured the club’s place in the Champions League final for only the second time in history. Bukayo Saka’s goal just before half-time was decisive in the semi-final, setting up a final against either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest later this month.
Historic achievement and strong team performance
Arsenal’s defence remained solid throughout the match, conceding only three goals in seven home Champions League games this season and maintaining an unbeaten streak of 14 matches in the competition. Despite a late chance for Atlético substitute Alexander Sørloth to force extra time, the Spanish side could not break through Arsenal’s resilient defence.
At the final whistle, Arteta celebrated with his staff and led the players on a lap of honour at the Emirates Stadium. The atmosphere was electric, with thousands of Arsenal supporters arriving hours early to welcome the team bus and unveil a giant tifo reading “Over land and sea.”
“An incredible night. We made history again together and I cannot be more proud for everyone,” said Arteta. “The way that we were welcomed outside the stadium was special and unique. The atmosphere, our support has created the energy, the way they managed every ball with us, they made it special and unique, I never felt that in the stadium.”
Arteta highlighted the significance of the achievement, noting it had been 20 years since Arsenal last reached the Champions League final under Arsène Wenger.
Player contributions and future challenges
Bukayo Saka, who scored the winning goal, has now found the net in his last two appearances after returning from a six-week Achilles injury. He described the experience as a “beautiful story” and expressed hope for a positive outcome in Budapest.
Arteta’s tactical decision to keep Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield instead of Martín Zubimendi paid off, with the teenager delivering another impressive performance. Arteta encouraged his team to enjoy their success but remain focused on upcoming challenges, including a Premier League match against West Ham.
“It’s great. Everybody can feel a shift in energy, in belief, in everything,” Arteta said. “Let’s use it in the right way and understand that the margins and the difficulty of what we are trying to achieve are huge, but we have the ability and the conviction to do it.”
Opposition reaction
Atlético Madrid’s manager Diego Simeone acknowledged Arsenal’s superiority over the two legs and expressed no complaints about the result. He praised his team’s effort and accepted the strength of their opponents.
“I feel calm. I feel peaceful. The team gave absolutely everything,” Simeone said. “We were competing with a team that has so much strength and power. We have to accept the place we are in.”