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The Arsenal blueprint that ground down Atletico Madrid and could take them to Champions League glory

Arsenal fans heckle Diego Simeone after stepping on badge

Diego Simeone was targeted by Arsenal fans after being seen to step on the club’s badge following the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Bukayo Saka’s goal was enough to split the teams on the night with a 1-0 win sending Mikel Arteta’s side into the final in Budapest 2-1 on aggregate.

But after raging at Ben White for stepping on Atletico’s badge in the Metropolitano Stadium last week during the first leg, Simeone was targeted in defeat in London, with the home crowd able to influence the contest, according to Arteta.

Jack Rathborn6 May 2026 10:40

Mikel Arteta hails atmosphere after Arsenal reach Champions League final: ‘I’ve never felt that’

Mikel Arteta hailed a “unique” atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium as key as he led Arsenal into a first Champions League final in 20 years.

“It is an incredible night,” Arteta beamed. “We made history again together. I cannot be happier or prouder of everybody involved in this football club.

“The manner that we were received in outside the stadium was special and unique. The atmosphere that our fans created, the energy, they lived every ball with us – I have never felt that in this stadium.

“We knew how much it meant to everybody, we put everything on the line, the boys did an incredible job and after 20 years, and the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”

The seven games which exposed the crucial difference between Man City and Arsenal

Marc Guehi looked glum as he headed for the Manchester City bus outside Hill Dickinson Stadium. Understandably, too. His ability to pick the right pass had helped him settle smoothly into the City defence. Until he picked the wrong pass, supplied Thierno Barry with a goal and a 3-3 draw altered the title race.

This had seemed a sequel to 2014 and 2023, a night when City chalked up crucial wins at Everton in the run-in. Instead, there were flashbacks to a couple of other games which, indirectly, led to City becoming champions. City conceded three times in 12 minutes on Monday; in 2014, in “Crystanbul”, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool let in three in the last 11 minutes away at Crystal Palace. That also finished 3-3. Go back to 2012, and City’s first league title since 1968 was aided by David Moyes’ Everton, mounting an extraordinary comeback to draw 4-4 with Manchester United. In each case, two points were dropped in dramatic fashion.

More from Richard Jolly:

The seven games which exposed the crucial difference between Man City and Arsenal

The loss of Rodri has once again highlighted a vulnerability in Pep Guardiola’s side – an inability to hold on to leads, which may now prove to be decisive in the title race

Richard Jolly6 May 2026 09:30

Diego Simeone feels 'calm and peaceful' despite defeat

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said: “No one expected that we would be here. We competed with a team that had so much strength and power. We gave it our all and now we have to accept the place that we're in. I'm grateful to our supporters and our players. I feel proud to be where I am right now.

“If we got knocked out, it's because our opponents deserved to get through. If you ask me how I feel, I feel calm and peaceful. The team gave absolutely everything.”

Club captain Koke said: “There were high hopes for us in the Copa and in the Champions League. We were not consistent in the league, we were not at the level we should have been. But we lost the Copa in a penalty shootout and in the Champions League we were this close to advancing.

“This group has been improving a lot and we have very young players who certainly will help this team fight for many great things in the near future.”

Flo Clifford6 May 2026 09:00

Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge lavish praise on Arsenal’s ‘best player’ in Champions League win

Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott all praised Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres for his role in taking the Gunners to the Champions League final.

Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium to record a 2-1 win on aggregate and reach their first Champions League final in 20 years.

Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge lavish praise on Arsenal’s ‘best player’

Viktor Gyokeres played an important role in Arsenal’s journey to the European final despite not getting a goal at the Emirates

Mike Jones6 May 2026 08:00

Mikel Arteta hails atmosphere after Arsenal reach Champions League final: ‘I’ve never felt that’

Mikel Arteta hailed a “unique” atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium as key as he led Arsenal into a first Champions League final in 20 years.

Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal earned the hosts a 1-0 success on the night and 2-1 win on aggregate over Atletico Madrid to set up a date with either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on 30 May.

Arsenal were roared on by a home support in excellent voice from long before kick off, with Arteta and his squad given a rousing reception on arrival for the second leg.

Arteta hails atmosphere after Arsenal reach final: ‘I’ve never felt that’

Arsenal will face Bayern Munich or PSG in Budapest after reaching a first final in 20 years

Flo Clifford6 May 2026 07:30

Saka's winning moment

"It had to be someone very special and certainly he is very special with me and the boys and everyone attached with this club,” Mikel Arteta said of Bukayo Saka’s matchwinning goal against Atletico Madrid.

“If it had to be someone scoring that goal, it probably had to be him."

(Reuters)

Mike Jones6 May 2026 07:00

The Arsenal blueprint that ground down Atletico Madrid – and could take them to Champions League glory

After admirably digging in, Arsenal now rise to the greatest stage. A season that has been characterised by such angst and toil may yet finish with jubilation and ascension - twice over.

You could see from the final whistle this meant everything, as players punched the air in joy, and they might yet win everything that matters. The Premier League trophy and European Cup are both now within touching distance.

Miguel Delaney6 May 2026 06:00

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