Arsenal Reach 2026 Champions League Final: Saka the Hero, Ends 20-Year Wait

Arsenal ended a two-decade long wait to return to the UEFA Champions League final after eliminating Atletico Madrid with a 1-0 victory in the second leg semifinal at Emirates Stadium early Wednesday WIB. This result secured a 2-1 aggregate win for The Gunners, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Bukayo Saka's solitary goal proved decisive in a tightly contested match. The moment arrived just before halftime when he capitalized on a loose ball from a Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres combination.

Atletico actually started aggressively. Their first chance came in the 8th minute through an Antoine Griezmann and Giuliano Simeone move that opened space for Julian Alvarez, but his shot went wide of the left post.

Arsenal responded with a Riccardo Calafiori attempt from outside the box that sailed over. Controversy arose in the 34th minute when Trossard went down after contact with Griezmann in the penalty area, but the referee deemed it not a foul.

Arsenal's deadlock finally broke in the 44th minute. Saka scored the crucial goal that shifted the match's momentum and gave Mikel Arteta's side the aggregate advantage.

Entering the second half, Diego Simeone's squad increased their attacking intensity. Giuliano Simeone was involved in another controversial moment when he went down in a duel with Gabriel Magalhaes, yet again no penalty was awarded.

Between the posts, David Raya stood firm, thwarting several Atletico chances. 

Arsenal almost doubled their lead through a Gyokeres strike in the 65th minute, but the ball flew just over the bar.

Towards the end, Atletico's pressure intensified. Substitute Alexander Sorloth created opportunities, including a backheel pass to Marcos Llorente, but no goal materialized. 

Further efforts were successfully neutralized by Arsenal's disciplined defense until the final whistle.

Securing a place in this season's Champions League final marks a historic moment for Arsenal. 

It becomes only the club's second Champions League final appearance in history, having last reached the showpiece in the 2005/2006 season. 

Back then, Arsenal had to settle for runners-up after losing 1-2 to Barcelona in a match marked by Jens Lehmann's red card.

Now, under Arteta's guidance, Arsenal marches to the final undefeated this campaign. The Gunners have collected ten wins and three draws. 

In the final, Arsenal will face the winner of the tie between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, who play their second leg semifinal early Thursday WIB.